2025’s folk-horror/drama, ‘Her Will Be Done’, directed by Julia Kowaksi and presented by Yellow Veil Pictures, made a huge impression in Cannes, so it was only right to review this dreamy film that starts off with a literal sizzle.

‘Her Will Be Done’ opens up with a curious “bonfire”, and a young Nawojka watching on, telling us viewers, “My mother knelt before Satan. The evil was in her. It is inside me, too.” This statement alone lets us know that we’re in for a journey of fierce proportions.

We’re then introduced to Nawojka, a young woman who is overprotected by a father is afraid she will become what her mother became (and have the same fate as that mother), almost given no time to really enjoy life, although she wishes to live life on her own accord. Due to trepidation that she may turn out like her mother, her father ensures Nawojka is kept busy and is only surrounded by farm tasks, but her dream is to leave the small town and attend veterinarian school. Instead, her reality is the farm and growing up alongside her older brothers who offer no reprieve.

When an illness takes hold of their cattle, threatening to leave them near destitute, Nawojka begins to experience very interesting moments of wither delirium or religious psychosis. Perhaps both. She is caught in between an almost feral sensation, giving herself over to “witch-like” inclinations while on the other hand, praying for those acts she gives herself over to, for acting on what she feels are evil doings and unnatural things, when those are moments you can see she feels lifted in spirit (you see what I did there?) and enjoying a certain freedom. Then Sandra, a daughter of the neighbors next door, returns to the town who a lot of townsfolk seem to dislike. A LOT! But Nawojka is intrigued by her, as Sandra appears to be carefree and lives life on her own terms— something Nawojka longs for. Except Nawojka has those moments where she has visions, fearing the curse that took her mother may also take her.

Things come to a head when Sandra dares to attempt to help Nawojka run away to herself from the small-mindedness of the townspeople and stifles of the place. Madness and chaos ensues, leaving a tragedy in its wake, and a deep realization for a burdened Nawojka to act upon.

Kowaksi’s ‘Her Will Be Done’ is beautifully made, and can be seen as an art house type of film, but it offers a look into how a young woman needs to carve out her own path, and should be afforded the same freedoms as a her male counterparts to choose a life worth living for herself. Holding onto too tightly can have dire consequences, as some of the townspeople experienced due to actions of their own misgivings. The theme of this film is clear, and especially in today’s climate can it be seen as a message that feminine rage is something to respect and fear.

So if you enjoy folk-horror with some occult and dramatic elements, you’re in luck because ‘Her Will Be Done’ is available right now on VOD for your viewing pleasure!