mischabaka

I loved this film. The intimacy and candour of the characters feels very genuine. The domestic duties, small exchanges of stories, humour and entertainments of the central family are captivating in their commonality and strangeness. It's less like any other film and more like meeting in laws for the first time. The performances have the quirks and rhythms of meeting with real people, somehow captured on film. In amongst all the domestic moments I could sense a fragility, perhaps just the fragility of life perceptible when we are allowed that intimacy with people. Perhaps this is the drama of the film, in response to that fragility I found myself concerned for the main character and his family, and I cherished each little clue that spoke of the things that bound this man and his family together and gave them purpose.

The pace, story and characters all worked together to make a film that I enjoyed. I think this film offers a point of difference to many other horror films as the monster is literally more psychological than physical. Although horror is always psychological, in this case the film explores something more ephemeral even in plain sight.

A film that explores interpersonal tensions amongst artist types while they strive to make meaningful work. I loved the performances and was genuinely filled with sadness and joy.