PopHorror Let's Get Scared
If you’ve read enough of my pieces, you’ll know that I appreciate differently. Especially when it comes to psychological and supernatural horror. Esme, My Love is very unique and literally like watching a movie painting. Very dreamlike.
The tale begins with Hannah (Stacey Weckstein, Harlem 2023) taking her young daughter Esme (Audrey Grace Marshall, The Flight Attendant 2022) on a trip to visit their family farm. As they make their way, you slowly begin to figure out that something is off. There’s also a dreamlike quality throughout that makes you question what reality is in this story.
Hannah is clingy and has an air of desperation about her. There’s something wrong with Esme, but you’re not quite sure what. They have a hike to make through the woods before coming to the family farm, which is abandoned and dilapidated.
As the film progresses, it gets much darker and more surreal. It feels like moving through a dream in most parts, which was my favorite thing about it. I did have to watch a couple of times to try and get a sense of what ultimately happened. It feels like it’s open to interpretation, but it doesn’t take away from the strong themes of the mother/child relationship, generational curses, and growing up with trauma.
I was initially drawn to it because of some things I’m currently experiencing with my mother. I’ve been reflecting a lot on the past. I wasn’t quite sure what the story of Esme, My Love would be, but it definitely exceeded my expectations. I really can’t voice enough how much of a beautiful-looking film it is, which I feel adds an extra layer of depth with the juxtaposition of dark and ugly within the story.
Even then, the tone of the film lands in a place of freedom and comfort. At least for me. But I guess it also depends on how you view the ending. If you enjoy and appreciate surreal films this is definitely a film for you!
Esme, My Love is currently streaming on Tubi. You can watch the trailer below.
