Plot & Themes17-year-old Andy and his blind Tweens-in-the-eye Piper lose their father unexpectedly and are placed with Laura (Sally Hawkins), a grieving foster mother whose motives soon prove sinister. Her obsession with resurrecting her biological daughter leads to a chilling occult plot involving all the children in her care â including a mute and eerie boy named Oliver. The film blends grief horror, child abuse, and supernatural possession, creating a narrative that is viscerally disturbing and emotionally devastating.
Performances
Sally Hawkins delivers a standout performance, turning maternal warmth into a screen presence that gradually reveals chilling desperation and duplicity.
Billy Barratt (Andy), with a mix of vulnerability and fierce protection, carries much of the emotional weight, while newcomer Sora Wong brings courage and quiet presence as Piper. Jonah Wren Phillips as Oliver is memorably unsettling, his physical performance bringing much of the filmâs horror to life.
Direction & Atmosphere
The Philippou brothers build dread through oppressive visualsâconstant rain, dripping showers, and moldy corridors. Water becomes a sinister motif, symbolizing grief, corruption, and decay. Jillering rituals, Avant-garde VHS spirit footage, and slow-burn pacing reinforce the psychological tension. While some critics found the final act a bit rushed or ambiguous, the climax stays haunting.
Impact & Reception
Critics have praised the film as one of the standout horror works of 2025 â based on strong emotional storytelling and unflinching thematic depth. It holds a solid 89â90% score on Rotten Tomatoes and drew comparisons to Hereditary and The Babadook for its grief-as-monster approach.
Some critique that the multiple supernatural elements feel overloaded, but Hawkinsâ chilling performance elevates the film.
