Attachment

This slow-burn possession horror film is a bit too slow in my opinion. I was completely engaged in the story and the characters up to a certain point, and I can appreciate that the love story is between two 30 something lesbians suffering typical Millennial problems of aimlessness or living with one's parents - there's a lot going on here which seems to be completely metaphorical.

Chana the mother character was amazing, the actress deserves some kind of award for how smoothly she pulled off her role in secrecy.

But ultimately by the last twenty minutes or so I really wanted to fast forward through the predictable climax.

Good lord that poor cat lady.

A Danish/English horror movie that delves into several fears: an overbearing partner's parent, a potential dark history of the partner, and evil spirits known as dybbuks. Although the writer and director, Gabriel Bier Gisalson, brings emotional depth to the story in his directorial debut, the film doesn't quite deliver and becomes drawn out by the end.

The relationship between Danish actress Maja (Josephine Park) and London academic Leah (Ellie Kendrick) starts out strong, with charming chemistry between the two women. However, things take a turn when Leah has a seizure and her pushy mother, Chana (Sofie Gråbøl), becomes involved in their relationship. Chana's strange behavior and interest in Jewish iconography creates a sense of unease that slowly builds as the story progresses.

The film attempts to set its horror within Jewish mythology and Ultra-Orthodox life, but this creates an exposition overload that distances the viewer. The strongest aspect of the film is its rumination on the universal worries of a relationship, particularly the fear of a partner changing who they are and leaving heartbreak. The acting, particularly by Sofie Gråbøl, adds to the disturbing dynamic of the story. Although "Attachment" has its moments, it becomes slow and too drawn out to be a fully successful horror movie.

I have to admit that "Attachment" was a much better film than I expected, although ultimately it wasn't as exceptional as I was hoping it'd turn out to be. At 1hr and 45 minutes, 20 minutes less would have been a vast improvement.

The movie starts in the Netherlands, where Maja and British student Leah meet in a library. Sparks fly and before you can say, "Lesbian U-Haul Joke," the two move back to Leah's London home with her mother, who seems a little crazy and overly overprotective. Enter Jewish folklore, body transformation and peanut allergies and an eventual satisfying ending.

It's quite well acted with excellent production values, and really, time management and editing is my only real complaint. That and the actress who plays Maja' sinus issues. But I started getting antsy halfway through the third act, wondering when they were going to start wrapping things up. Then once we got to the climax, it just seemed to go on far too long. It's really too bad, because it had the makings of something special, with a couple you were rooting for to make it. Instead it just became dull.

I would love to see a better edited version of this film. But for now the best I can do is a 6.

"Attachment" tells the story of two women whose relationship becomes entangled with the mysterious past of one woman's mother. The film explores the Kabbalah, a Jewish belief system, adding a unique dimension to the story.

The movie is a refreshing departure from traditional horror films that rely heavily on gore and special effects. Instead, "Attachment" builds tension through its clever storytelling and masterful cinematography. The result is a movie that is both touching and suspenseful.

The relationship between the two women is at the heart of the movie, and the performances by the actresses are top-notch. As the story unfolds, we are drawn into their world and become invested in their journey.

One of the most impressive aspects of "Attachment" is its use of Kabbalah. The film deftly weaves this mystical belief system into the story, adding a layer of depth that elevates it beyond typical horror fare.

Overall, "Attachment" is a well-crafted and thoughtful film that is definitely worth watching. It may not be a traditional horror movie, but it is certainly a memorable one. Highly recommended.

Attachment is a Queer horror film steeped in Jewish folklore written and directed by Gabriel Bier GislasonIt in his feature-length film debut. At the center of the film's narrative is a love-at-first-sight romance between a Danish former actress and a Jewish academic from London. It boasts a rather endearing meet-cute between its leads in a public library when the two quite literally bump into each other dropping their books. The two strike up a whirlwind courtship, but unbeknownst to them, something sinister lurks beneath the surface. The film stars Josephine Park, Ellie Kendrick, Sofie Gråbøl, and David Dencik.

When Leah (Kendrick) suffers a terrifying and mysterious seizure, breaking her leg with a horrifying snap, Maja (Park) fears their relationship may end before it truly begins. She decides to accompany Leah back to her home-a multi-story flat in London she shares with her Mother-in the Hasidic neighborhood of Stamford Hill. There, she meets Leah's mother, Chana (Gråbøl), an unpleasant, domineering, and secretive woman. Chana resists Maja's attempts to bond with and get to know her. When Maja begins to notice strange seemingly supernatural occurrences in the apartments, she begins to suspect that Chana is conjuring something to keep Leah's love and devotion for herself. The superstitions and traditions of Orthodox Judaism play a role in the film's narrative, bringing authenticity to its setting and keeping us intrigued for the most part in its quiet moments.

Kendrick and Park deliver engaging and believable performances as a couple experiencing the familiar "meet-the-parents" friction, but the leads lack chemistry, making the romance itself unconvincing. While I love folk horror as much as the next person, the supernatural elements of the film are so subtle, that they are easily overlooked until the film's finale. The ending ties everything into a proverbial and somewhat clichéd bow that'll leave some viewers dissatisfied. It is a very slow burn that suffers ever so slightly from its pacing but it still manages to deliver an unexpected payoff.

While it isn't overtly scary and it takes a while for the story to get going, there's a great red herring and plenty of little supernatural chills. In addition to Jewish folklore stories that I have a keen interest in (naming them would give too much away), Attachment explores the deep bonds of love, superstition, and the complex nature of mother-daughter relationships. It's an allegory for codependence and the dangers of imbalanced relationships.