6/7 🪩🪩🪩🪩🪩🪩
I was not expecting this film to become what it ultimately became. I am not sure if I read the marketing wrong or if the film was intentionally positioned as a bit of a bait and switch, but I ended up loving it as an art film. That said, it is not a horror film, at least not in the traditional sense. It is not trying to scare you as much as it is trying to show what can happen when a deeply intertwined friendship turns dark, emotional, and hateful. There is a ghost and flickering lights, but that’s about it. But beneath all of that pain, it also shows what love, obsession, and creative connection can produce: AMAZING ART.
The story itself is not always as compelling as the beautiful words these characters speak. Oh my, some of the dialogue feels almost Shakespearean. The opening monologue immediately pulls you in, and Michaela Coel’s voice is absolutely captivating. What a talent. Anne Hathaway is also strong as Mother Mary, bringing a constant sense of remorse and pain to the role. But Michaela Coel shows such incredible depth and range that I found myself in awe of her throughout the entire film.
Visually, the film is gorgeous and often very cool to look at. I loved the art direction, the atmosphere, and the way the visuals helped shape the emotional world of the story. I also could not help but think Lady Gaga would have been fascinating in the role of Mother Mary, but it was still fun to see Anne Hathaway take on something like this.
The pacing felt a little off for me at first, mostly because I kept waiting for the film to become scarier. But now that I understand what the movie is actually trying to be, I do not think I would feel the same way on a second watch. It was never a chore to sit through. I was engaged, even when I was trying to figure out exactly what kind of film I was watching.
The music was also great. The orchestral soundtrack really helped set the mood, and there are definitely a few songs I will be adding to my regular playlist. There were also some great pop songs made just for the film. Felt like I was at a real concert!
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this art film. Part of me still wishes it had leaned more into fear, but I also understand that was not really the point. This is more about pain, love, ego, friendship, and the strange, beautiful, destructive things that can happen when art and emotion become completely tangled together.
Go watch this film!
Emotion: 7/7
Editing & Story: 5/7
Visuals: 7/7
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