Haunted by the sudden death of his wife, Eric Black finds work as a shepherd on a remote, weather-worn Scottish island. But there are mysterious powers at work here, and as Eric’s sadness continues to engulf him, so too do the supernatural portents of his stark new surroundings.

As the line between fantasy and reality begins to blur, Eric finds himself plagued by terrifying visions, until it becomes clear he must confront his past trauma if he is to stand any chance of survival.

Loosely inspired by the same true story that formed the basis of Robert Eggers’ The Lighthouse, Owen Russell’s impressionistic exercise in gothic horror is an entirely distinctive work in its own right. Dripping in atmosphere and rich with scares, Shepherd is a chilling meditation on the overwhelming dread of grief and loneliness.