Great atmosphere and acting, but doesn't surprise

Rating: 6/10 (1 October 2016)

Decided to watch this with a friend, as it had an interesting premise. The start of the film sets the tone and plot very well: we see early American Puritan settlers and a man on trial who gets banished, followed by the man and his family living on a farm in the woods. The film looks as if a slight grey filter has been applied over it, since all the colours look muted. The lone farm and the family's fear of wolves and the woods creates a sense of loneliness, and the film has a lot of long, lingering shots that help drive home the creepiness. The use of Middle English as in the time of Shakespeare served great to set the time of the film, what with the people in those days being more religious and superstitious than today (generally).
The following describes the flow of the film, which some may consider a spoiler, but doesn't outright state the events that happen. Proceed at your own volition.
The film kicks off its plot and tone very well and quickly. It meanders a bit in the middle, but not uselessly so, as each scene has a clear purpose, leading up to the higher points later in the film. The symbolism and reveals in the film are very transparent, with perhaps one exception. The finale is sort of two-part, which is why I feel this film isn't as strong as it could've been. The first part is very strong and tragic, the second part was sort of foreshadowed, but not a logical conclusion in any sense--it was antithesis to the way the character was presented all the rest of the film, in my opinion.
In the end, I enjoyed the film for its atmosphere, and would recommend it to people who enjoy films for that reason, enjoy a bit of horror, and like (or don't mind) historical settings. If atmosphere and a few great actors aren't enough, give it a pass.