This film and its plot have been presented in so many different skins there’s just enough to recommend here, but little viewers haven’t seen before. The messaging is far from subtle, one of the many variants of ‘motherhood is hell’ and ‘children are parasites’. The performances are above average, especially from Michelle Monaghan and the actors playing her children. The writing is decent, and the script skirts issues of unready mothers, substance abuse, familial sacrifice and how far one will go to support a monster. The latter seems contemporarily relevant, broaching the lengths a parent will go to support, insulate, excuse and pander to a dangerous child. Hell, its even there in the poster tagline. Initially the film presents as a medical mystery, with the main character trying to solve and understand an affliction befallen her son. This segment of the movie, while slow paced is rather interesting, and as the nature of the illness reveals itself there are a number of genuinely creepy and shocking moments. Unfortunately, beyond good moments and performances, this movie moves at a languid pace, especially considering the beats and plot moments have been reskinned ad-nauseum, and it is likely you have seen this movie before.
Blood (2022)