Nocebo

Nocebo: Filipino Folk Horror, though this is an Irish/Filipino Co-Production and was shot in Dublin and the Philippines the Western parts of the film are set in London. Christine (Eva Green), is a fashion designer who is suffering from a strange illness for which she has to take multiple pills. We see how it started when she had a vision of a wild dog covered in ticks, one of the ticks bites her, perhaps it's all in her mind but her work is suffering as is her relationship with her husband Felix (Mark Strong) and daughter Bobs (Billie Gadsdon). A woman named Diana (Chai Fonacier), turns up claiming that Christine has hired her a carer/housekeeper, by this stage Christine had been subject to serious memory failures so she accepts it. Diana helps Christine with massages and exercises, she then moves on to to use Filipino folk healing techniques. However things take a darker turn after Diana sets up an altar in the fireplace in her room. There are parallel narratives at play in Nocebo, we also see Diana's life from childhood onward, how she developed folk healing skills and the many traumatic events which befell her. The switch from folk healing to folk magic is sharply portrayed, the stronger powers are used to torture and inflict. Pain. There are some really disturbing scenes, both everyday violence and suffering as well as that inflicted through supernatural means. Intricate rituals based on a syncretic religion are carried out. Not so many jump shocks but terror gradually builds up in front of your eyes, The split narrative is confusing at times but all coalesces for the finale. There are some plot twists but you'll have to watch Nocebo if you want to know about them. Directed by Lorcan Finnegan from a screenplay by Garret Shanley. 8/10.

Nocebo is a bit low budget but certainly not bad as a thriller. And even if my first guess turned out to be the correct answer to the mystery it was still an enjoyable story to follow. There was enough tension building to keep you guessing. Mark Strong and Eva Green played husband and wife whilst Chai Fonacier played the mysterious guest from The Philippines. Overall decent acting from the cast but nothing award-winning in my opinion. In the thriller genre Nocebo is worth watching, just don't expect outstanding cinematography as the budget for that was just not there. But for a low budget it was decent.

I like this film.

Right from the start you can tell that real time and effort has been put in to creating a well rounded and immersive story - something adults will appreciate.

The acting by Eva Green and Chai Fonacier is superb in realising wholly believable characters you can relate to right from the start.

Unfortunately, and this is my only slight criticism, is. Mark Strong's character seemed very one dimensional and wooden. It didn't gel well with the rest of talent displayed by Green and Fonacier and stood out as being under par in the face of their skill.

You may well guess what the general plot is quite early on in the film, but perhaps that is by design and adds to the connection with the characters.

All in all worth watching, and I will certainly watch it again in the future.

In the supernaturally-tinged "Nocebo" creepy Philippine housemaid Chai Fonacier (good on her English language debut) arrives at the London home of upper middle-class Eva Green & Mark Strong who're struggling to parent young Billie Gasdson as Green re-launches her clothing design career AND struggles with a debilitating sickness' various dramatic symptoms (inc nightmarish 'hallucinations'). Fonacier helps, though Strong suspects something sinister's afoot (as is gradually shown thru Fonacier's flashbacks). While writer / director team Garrett Shanley & Lorca Finnegan's third collaboration may not top the horror thriller genre, it is a decently solid entry into it.

I have watched many horror movies this year and I hate horror movies that don't make sense however this one is well scripted and convincing. Every scenes are well plotted. Love the choice of actress who plays the maid, she is absolutely amazing in the movie. I will give this a 8/10. Enjoyed every min of it. The score of the movie is brilliant. Even though the movie is a little shorter than usual two hours long movie but i think it is well paced. Love how the story revealed in an overlapping way. The ending was great as well, I must say this is the best horror movie of 2022 alongside with 'Smile'.