Movie Review: 'Voice From The Stone' (2017)

Marrying a costume drama and a ghost story together makes a lot of sense. They suit each other. Largely because there is an opportunity for one’s imagination to run free without technology interrupting.

In “Voice from the Stone,” Emilia Clarke stars as Verena, a nurse with a specific aspect to her work. Her job? To help a troubled child find their way. Once they are up on their feet, she is off to aid the next. In other words, she is Mary Poppins minus the magic.


When Verena (Clarke) is hired to help a young boy, who has recently lost his mother, she meets one of her greatest challenges to-date. Having lapsed into a state of non-verbal communication, the boy proves difficult to reach.

When she sees him listening to a wall, she thinks she has solved the mystery of his withdrawal. As it turns out, it is only part of a larger one.

“Voice from the Stone” knows that it is a supernatural story and wastes no time letting the audience know that as well. Director Eric D. Howell properly paces the movie as both a suspenseful ghost thriller and a character-driven costume drama.

Its take on grief is also well-explored. As is its tender look at the luminous presence Verena brings to the household. An impact mired in a set of unfortunate circumstances. Aiding in bringing the story's various angles to life are the performances of the cast.

As she did in the romantic drama “Me Before You,” Emilia Clarke lights up the screen. There is an intrinsic tenderness to Clarke’s performances that make her beyond believable as a caretaker.

As Verena, she is poised, vulnerable, and confident. So much of “Voice from the Stone” takes place from her perspective. Therefore, you must be invested in Verena’s journey to remain so, and that happens here.

Another intriguing aspect of the film is Verena’s relationship with Klaus, the father of the boy and subsequently, the man who hires her. The chemistry between Emilia Clarke and Marton Csokas is palatable, lending tremendous credence to what follows.

Unfortunately, “Voice from the Stone” is not a Hallmark movie, which means happy endings remain all the more difficult to depend on.

There is suspense as to where everything is leading, and the film steadily delivers viewers to an answer. In one of its most surprising moves, “Voice from the Stone” also goes for a pretty definitive ending.

Where some movies have overly relied on the audience to weigh in, “Voice” tips its hand towards a more realized conclusion. The result? A feeling that the time spent was worthwhile.

Rating: 6.5/10

[Featured Image by Zanuck Independent/Code 39 Films/Producer Capital Fund]