The Damned: how to watch, reviews, trailer, cast and everything we know about the horror movie

Odessa Young in The Damned
(Image credit: Tribeca Film Festival)

The 2025 movie calendar started off with a scare with horror movie The Damned one of the first movies released in the new year. It's probably an introduction for many to director Thordur Palsson, who made his feature directing debut with the frightening tale.

The Damned first screened at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival, where it earned some solid buzz, which it hopes will help drum up interest in moviegoers for this Iceland-set haunt featuring a few up-and-coming talents and a familiar face from the Game of Thrones cast.

If you’re intrigued, read on for everything you need to know about The Damned.

The Damned how to watch

The Damned is currently available to watch via digital on-demand platforms in the US and UK.

Here are all the details you need to know about how to watch The Damned.

The Damned cast

As with many horror movies, The Damned has a female lead. In this case, a character named Eva is played by Odessa Young. TV miniseries The Stand and The Staircase, as well as 2024 movie The Order, are among the biggest previous credits for Young.

Another up-and-comer, Joe Cole stars in the movie. He is previously known for Nightsleeper, A Small Light and Gangs of London.

The rest of the cast includes Siobhan Finneran (Downton Abbey), Lewis Gribben (Masters of the Air), Francis Magee (The Tourist), Turlough Convery (Slow Horses season 4), Mícheál Óg Lane (Calvary) and Rory McCann (Game of Thrones).

The Damned plot

Here is the official synopsis for The Damned:

“In this atmospheric period drama set in the 19th century, Eva, a young widow, faces an impossible choice when a ship sinks off the coast of her isolated fishing village during a cruel winter. With their food supplies dwindling, Eva and her town must decide whether to rescue the shipwrecked sailors or let them perish to ensure their own survival. As the consequences of their actions begin to manifest, the villagers find themselves grappling with the weight of their decisions and the mounting unease that permeates their close-knit community.”

Palsson is credited with the story, with the script written by Jamie Hannigan.

The Damned trailer

Watch the eerie trailer for The Damned right here:

The Damned | Official Trailer (HD) | Vertical - YouTube The Damned | Official Trailer (HD) | Vertical - YouTube
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The Damned reviews

Reviews for The Damned gave the movie a 90% “Certified Fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Read WTW's The Damned review.

The Damned director

As mentioned, The Damned is the feature-directing debut for Thordur Palsson, who hails from Iceland. He is the creator behind the Netflix series The Valhalla Murders, for which he also directed four episodes. His other directing credits to date are for short films.

The Damned poster

(Image credit: Vertical Entertainment)
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Michael Balderston
Assistant Managing Editor

Michael Balderston is What to Watch’s assistant managing editor and lead movie writer, covering movies coming to theaters, writing movie reviews and highlighting new and classic movies on streaming services; he also covers a range of TV shows, including those in the Taylor Sheridan universe, Slow Horses, Only Murders in the Building, Jeopardy!, Saturday Night Live and more, as well as the best ways to watch some major US sporting events.

Based outside of Washington, D.C., Michael's previous experience includes writing for Awards Circuit, TV Technology and The Wrap.

Michael’s favorite movie of all time is Casablanca, while his favorite TV show is Seinfeld. Some 2025 favorites include One of Them Days and Black Bag for movies, and The Pitt on TV. Follow on Letterboxd to keep up with what I'm watching.

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