‘Sometimes there is no turning back’
Esme, My Love is a 2022 American horror drama film about a mother whose daughter has symptoms of terminal illness.
Directed by Cory Choy from a screenplay co-written by Laura Allen. The Silver Sound production stars Audrey Grace Marshall and Stacey Weckstein.
Plot:
When Hannah (Stacey Weckstein) notices the symptoms of a painful and terminal illness in her aloof daughter, Esme (Audrey Grace Marshall), she decides to take her on a trip to their abandoned family farm in a desperate attempt to connect before they have to say goodbye…
Reviews:
“The interpersonal relationship of the troubled twosome is decidedly the best feature, and Choy’s exploration of generational trauma, grief, and loss gives their interactions a welcomed layer of intrigue. Esme, My Love is an excellently acted, beautifully shot, and incredibly slowly burning thriller that is ultimately let down by its obfuscated overall plot. All elements and potential for a great thriller are there, they simply lacked the clarifying glue to fully execute them.” Battle Royale with Cheese
” …it’s muddled in the final act because we don’t fully understand her relationship to Hannah. The components are all here for a compelling psychological drama, led by two excellent performances, but a conflation between narrative obfuscation with thematic depth undermines Esme, My Love’s final emotional impact.” 3 out of 5, CineVue
“The story is excellent and keeps you on the edge of your seat, but things move a little too slowly. There’s a fine line between a slow burn and a drag, and at 104 minutes, this movie crosses that line a little too much in parts. Still, I would absolutely recommend checking this one out.” Flix Chatter
“Unfortunately, Esme, My Love doesn’t fully embrace its potential for horror; even with standard sequences of supernatural frights, complete with nerve-jangling strings and percussion and an amplifying hysteria, it never truly goes off the rails. Had it done so, it might have been electrifying; instead, it’s only lightly disturbing and mostly confusing (or frustrating), with unhurried pacing (shots of environmental backgrounds and scenery are far too numerous), an unclear message, and a conspicuous repetition…” Gone with the Twins
“Esme, My Love may not, in fact, will not, please everyone because it demands attention to details of image, sound, dialogue, and unspoken cues. It’s not a film for the casual moviegoer, yet the more disciplined cineaste will marvel at Choy’s weaving together of sight and sound, atmosphere and character. Everything matters. Everything.” 3.5 stars out of 5, The Independent Critic
Release:
Esme, My Love premiered at Hot Springs International Women’s Film Festival on March 12, 2022. The film is scheduled for a Digital release worldwide by Terror Films on June 2, 2023.
Background:
Director Cory Choy has commented: “I recognise that women are underrepresented in film, both on and off screen. And while I didn’t set out with this explicit intention, I am very proud to have made a movie exploring the relationship between parent and child that stars only women (one of whom is a little girl), was co-written and co-edited by women, with cinematography by a woman, and features a score composed by women.”
Inspired by true events, the film is “rooted in a family’s history and lore”, adds Choy. “Esme, My Love explores the relationship between mother and daughter — a meditation on love, loss, family and magic”.
Trailer:
Technical specs:
1 hour 45 minutes
This post is dedicated to my horror muse, Rita Rai.
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