Jack ventures to remote New Zealand for the funeral of his estranged mother and meets her widow Jill. But his mother's spirit returns to inhabit each of their bodies, instigating a life-threatening three-way nocturnal dance.
Critics' Reviews
90
Went Up the Hill doesn’t just explore grief, it expresses it. The film uses its intense ghost story framework not simply to frighten but to delve deeply into the lived experience of trauma and loss. Jack and Jill, bound by their shared pain and haunted by the ghost of Elizabeth, embody the complex, non-linear nature of grief, captured through a haunting monochromatic palette and eerie sound design. Performer Vicky Krieps delivers a prickly, devastated portrayal of Jill, while Dacre Montgomery's Jack is heartbreaking and mercurial, both fragile and frightening. Their intimate, spellbinding performances bring emotional depth to a story where the ghost is less a traditional spirit and more a palpable presence forcing these characters to confront their past and the unrelenting grip of loss.
Full Cast of Went Up the Hill
Dacre Montgomery
Jack / Elizabeth
Dacre Montgomery delivered a compelling performance in the movie 'Went Up the Hill,' showcasing his ability to portray complex emotions with subtlety and depth. Critics praised his portrayal for bringing a unique blend of vulnerability and strength to the character, setting him apart from typical roles in dramatic cinema. What made his performance particularly unique was his commitment to authenticity, including adopting a distinct regional accent and deeply researching the character's background and motivations. A lesser-known fact about Montgomery during the filming is that he personally insisted on performing many of his own stunts, adding a raw and realistic edge to the character’s physical journey up the hill, much to the admiration of the cast and crew.
Sarah Peirse
Helen
Crew of Went Up the Hill
Full backstage crew list →- Released August 15, 2025