Shiva Baby (2020) User Reviews

Uncut Shiva

[PedroPires90 · 8/10 · 7 April 2021]

We need Emma Seligman to direct a thriller/horror movie...like tomorrow. 😱

This was tense, creepy, claustrophobic. It's not one of those comedies that you laugh a lot, it's more about the absurd of the situation, but this was great.

I wasn't expecting to like this this much and this a fantastic debut for Emma. Great acting by all, but especially Rachel Sennott.

The chaos of cringe.

[Pjtaylor-96-138044 · 7/10 · 13 June 2021]

Set mostly in real time, 'Shiva Baby (2020)' focuses on a young woman whose life seems to spiral out of control when she bumps into her sugar daddy at a shiva. It's basically an exercise in controlled chaos. With its claustrophobic atmosphere, creepy soundtrack and uncomfortably relatable cringe, the picture basically feels like a panic attack on screen. In many ways, it actually tells its tales using tropes of the horror genre. It swaps jump-scares for awkward confrontations, monsters for judgmental relatives and blood and guts for unattainable expectations. It's not scary, as such, but it certainly gets under your skin, eking as much suspense from its central situation as possible. It puts you in the position of its protagonist, bombarded with passive aggressive prying and close calls with the truth. There's almost always an impending sense of doom; devastation seems inevitable. The flick isn't dour, though. It's often quietly funny, its comedy coming purely from its characters and their almost unbearable social situation. There's quite a bit of dramatic irony going on and it works very well. As does the character development in general, which is slight but significant. Every player feels like an actual person, like someone you could (and probably do) actually know, and that's really impressive. Overall, this is an entertaining and engaging film. It's interesting, well-written and unique. 7/10.

Misclassified Genre

[unended · 8/10 · 8 April 2021]

This is a solid horror film masquerading as a comedy.

Let's Be Frank ...

[A_Different_Drummer · 7/10 · 3 April 2021]

Hollywood has taken a lot of body blows recently; from COVID; from the endless demand for streaming content; and from audience pushback against Tinseltown's horrid culture of self-adoration. Viz, the historically low ratings for the award shows. The only content sector unaffected by all his is the indie category. And, with almost Biblical timing, along comes Emma Seligman, an indie writer/director with an ear for dialog and an eye for staging a scene. She faithfully delivers just the sort of fun ethnic romp which, only a few short years ago, would have been the exclusive territory of a "name" writer or director. Good for her! Recommended.

Uncut gems meets Fleabag kinda vibe

[MsBananagrabber · 10/10 · 4 April 2021]

Great movie, did not expect to like it that much. Don't be fooled by a comedy tag, it's definitely not a film for everyone. Dark, awkward and cringe it's made for you to feel claustrophobic and anxious (ergo the annoying crying baby). Excellent performance and well executed movie, maybe just don't smoke w while watching, it's pretty intense.

Claustrophobic and Artfully Space

[Minocencia · 6/10 · 15 April 2022]

Although this movie is not my cup of tea, I do see and appreciate the artistry of tension behind it and the authentic, casual display of bisexuality.

There was an intensely claustrophobic atmosphere and an artfully sparse score.

A comedy version of "Krisha" - surprisingly strong

[mrfidget123 · 8/10 · 27 September 2020]

This movie definitely exceeded my expectations. If you enjoyed Trey Edward Schultz's "Krisha", and you want another story of a woman at a family gathering with an atmosphere of uncomfortable tension punctuated by a low-key score, but as a comedy, you'll probably really enjoy this movie.

Maintaining a strong sense of energy/tension/discomfort/hilarity for a whole movie IS VERY VERY DIFFICULT and VERY IMPRESSIVE.

From the perspective of the protagonist Danielle everyone else seems to have their lives figured out and her refusal to be honest about her uncertainty of where her life is going leads to plenty of awkward miscommunication and amusing moments. The performers' delivery of the script is great, which is a huge relief, because great scripts, particularly for comedies, can fall flat if the delivery isn't perfectly in-sync with the screenwriter's intent. Plenty of indie comedies with decent scripts lack convincing dialogue delivery.

The tension builds along with the intensity of the score and the suffocating way the shots are composed. The grinning faces of Danielle's elderly relatives are occasionally framed in a way that they appear comically menacing.

I'm always looking for good comedies, which can be hard to come by. This is sincerely the best comedy movie of 2020. EXCELLENT JOB EMMA SELIGMAN I AM NOW A FAN!

Not bad for an Indie.

[deloudelouvain · 7/10 · 19 July 2021]

Shiva Baby is better than I thought it would be. I'm not going to say I was constantly laughing, far from that, but it definitely has something entertaining about it. Rachel Sennott did a great job playing her character. Watching her lie through her teeth all the time, and that whilst staying very charming (I think she's a real looker to be honest), it had to be done. The story is simple but effective. The funny parts are the older women gossiping in their Jewish way. The cinematography was not bad at all, with some really good shots every now and then. Shiva Baby isn't a long movie, rather too short, but for an indie production it's certainly worth watching.

Fakakta brilliant...

[tccandler · 9/10 · 4 August 2021]

Rachel Sennott plays a college girl who leaves a night spent with her sugar daddy to head to a traditional Jewish wake. At that wake, she runs into her not-so-secret "scandalous" ex-girlfriend... and that very same sugar daddy, fully in tow with his wife and newborn baby. The first-time feature from director, Emma Seligman, plays like an awkward comedy and a claustrophobic horror. Sennott is spectacular in the lead role... and the extensive supporting cast is fakakta brilliant.

Meh

[ssg-95558 · 6/10 · 18 July 2021]

I don't usually write movie reviews, but I have to express my disappointment. There were some uncomfortably funny moments, which explains my 6 stars. However, the repetitious jokes/situations and Jewish-parent stereotypes don't support a higher rating.

Might check out the writer's short film that this was based on, maybe she should have stopped there?

Unnerving comedy

[masonsaul · 8/10 · 5 November 2023]

Shiva Baby is equally funny and stressful. The comedy makes some clever observations whilst the film generally keeps escalating until it hits an inevitable breaking point. With a film this consistently stressful, it clocking in at only 78 minutes really works because any longer could've been too much.

Rachel Sennott is amazing, really funny whilst trying to hide the growing sense of unease as things just get worse and when it does get too much, the release is so emotional. Molly Gordon is great as someone who initially enjoys the chaos but begins to show a more caring side as it goes along.

Emma Seligman's direction really knows how to unnerve. Taking cues from horror movies with some jump scares and enough intense close ups to make the film feel claustrophobic. Ariel Marx's score pings and twangs throughout in a way that stops any sense of comfort from settling in.

90 minutes of a Jewish girl, greatly in need of Prozac, making bad decisions

[jbar19 · 6/10 · 4 April 2021]

One reviewer summed it up well; the movie is just watching a liar squirm at a Jewish funeral reception.

It is well acted but Im not really a fan of movies that exist only to make you feel uncomfortable.

Almost the entire movie takes place at the same funeral reception in a cramped house.

The story revolves around Danielle, a aimless girl about to graduate college. Her insufferable, but caring parents shake down a lot of the funeral guests seeking a job opportunity for Danielle. This greatly embarrasses Danielle because it shows everyone she is adrift in life with no direction.

Throw in an ex lesbian lover, and a married family friend she sleeps with for money, his wife and their infant and bang... instant anxiety.

Rachel Sennott , as Danielle does a very good job, but her character is like a Jewish girl version of George Costanza from Seinfeld. She makes one bad decision after another.

I can't find a lot of fault with the movie. I spent most of the movie wanting Danielle to leave the reception so the embarrassment-agony would end. She doesn't. Just not my cup of tea.

For Jewish girls living in New York City, this movie must be like Citizen Kane. For others, meh.

As Disappointing as Vegan Loxs

[brittanystar-94340 · 5/10 · 11 July 2021]

Shiva Baby know how to take a premise and roll with it...to say the least. However, the issue is the ball never goes anywhere. For a movie under 90 minute it felt insufferable. I understand that's the premise to an extent- but when does the audience ever have a chance to breathe? It's simply 80ish minutes of Jewish caricatures parading around a Shiva, while an unlikeable protagonist avoids her sugar daddy and annoying ex. To make matters worse our lead is both detached and unlikeable. I can't sympathize with a privileged girl who apparently has no motive for her behavior? The film should have spent more time delving into Danielle as a character. It felt as though she was merely in the background of her own story (and the audience's too). If you want to see a film repeat itself four times in the span of 80 minutes, I'd recommend this film. Yet, if you want to see a film that actually does something, or understands the allure of conflict- I'd recommend any and everything else.

(Afterthought: The soundtrack was grating after twenty minutes. I'm not sure if there simply wasn't enough budget for a larger score, but it gravely needed variety.)

It's a multi-ethnic farce that will have you laughing out loud.

[JohnDeSando · 16 April 2021]

"You look like Gwyneth Paltrow on food stamps--and not in a good way." Danielle's Mom, Debbie (Polly Draper)

Shiva Baby is a true farce-see above quote-because its mirth is based on a reality we all have experienced with mirthful twists. Danielle's (Rachel Sennott) mother, Jewish stereotype and classic overbearing mother, sets the scene for a shiva that Danielle is ill prepared. The buffet is loaded with the kind of parents Mike Nichols mined in the party scene of The Graduate and Woody Allen's language cadences and ethnicity in most of his work.

The satire of the helicopter family and friends who descend on Danielle with their endless questions about her future seems spot on for Jewish families and then again for any families who try to impose their vision on someone else's future. Danielle lies about her having job interviews or entrance into law school because family and friends clobber her for not having either, but her abject horror is at seeing her sugar daddy, Max (Danny Deferrari), arrive with a family unbeknownst to her.

Overbearing relatives and friends are just a few of Danielle's crosses to bear including her split up with her lover, Maya (Molly Gordon), her forgetfulness (witness loss of her cell phone with its unlocked incriminating evidence), and her spilling or breaking at various clumsy moments. Yet, even more harrowing and revealing is her shiva-eating routine, which forces her to eat non-vegetarian food or put it back when no one is noticing.

The beauty of Shiva Baby is in the details, mostly the trenchant dialogue ("Well thank god Sheila's coffee is always lukewarm, or you'd have third-degree burns, you know?" Debbie) reflecting micromanagement and excessive obsession of correct behavior. Ariel Marks's strings and piano have the right balance of gravity and lightness, contributing to lampooning obnoxious family and unmoored ambition.

Shiva Baby is funny stuff, Jewish or not. Universal it is in every frame.

When Danielle exclaims while looking at a photo album, "Oh, you guys are at the Holocaust museum. You look so... happy!" I knew I was in for an experience of which Jerry Seinfeld would approve. Enjoy an intellectually-satisfying comedy with farcical elements that may have you laughing out loud.

Ehhhh

[mr_bickle_the_pickle · 6/10 · 5 April 2021]

I felt it started off well but then just got tedious and boring to watch. And I dont feel like the story really progresses in any way or any lessons learned. And I questioned so many times why she didnt just leave. Like sure, its probably not very couth to leave a Shiva early. But we're talking about a lady that didnt even attend the funeral to begin with, doesnt go to temple anymore etc. Like, she doesnt strike me as a traditionalist so why stay and endure all that crap. And I just didnt find anyone very likable. The Jewish mothers are portrayed to be very judgy. The ex-girlfriend comes across as a mean girl. The Sugar daddy is cheating is on his wife. I guess you can feel some sympathy for Kim (Dianna Agron) as she somewhat blindsided by the affair - but then sensing something is a foot tries to embarrass and make the lead uncomfortable by insisting she hold her baby. And then theres the main girl herself. Who despite looking guilty and ashamed the movie still tries to send nudes and give a BJ to her married sugar daddy. I guess clueless dad gets the vote for only nice character.

It certainly wasnt the worst movie, but I was just kind of hoping the movie would go somewhere or something would happen. Instead it ends up being like an 1 hour and 20 min of an uncomfortable get together. Nobody really learns anything and nothing really happens to any of them. Danielle and Maya getting back together at the end feels forced.

powerful indie dark comedy

[R055T · 8/10 · 21 June 2021]

Loved this film. I thought it was highly relatable as a gay-jewish man. Lots of family similarities. Each character was perfectly casted and realistic. Rachel Sennott was great, the audience really can empathize with her and feel her anxiety and panic rising with each scene. The way the soundtrack and music correlated with the scenes was perfect. I've been seeing some reviews compare it to a horror film, which is quite accurate, considering a family gathering can be horrific, traumatic, especially for a teenager / young-adult. I also found this film really funny, in a dark, unintentional way. Each character was just so absurd and an over-the-top caricature of what a nagging old Jewish lady could be like. The actress who played her mother was perfect as the over-bearing Jewish mother, with constant interrogation of her personal life, and crude jokes. I felt like the movie could have been a long pilot episode for a TV series. The ending was a bit abrupt, but other than that, it was an enjoyable film.

Chaotic mess

[nikree · 6/10 · 10 June 2021]

Well, well, well.

The good thing about it was- it was short 75 odd minutes. Had it been 15 minutes longer, I'd have hated it!

Although this is very personal opinion and I think a lot of others people might appreciate it. But the lack of morality by the protagonist doing gender studies was a turn-down for me. The helpless-victim outlook even after being aware of your inappropriate deeds and yet reaching out to the guy is jus not making any sense to me. Maybe that was the point of them all.

The only good part is the environment of chaos created with some sarcasm on the society show-off.

Really good. And scary

[donnaaro · 8/10 · 18 July 2021]

This is the ultimate nightmare of a person who tells different "truths" to different people. But now they're all together, and somehow comparing stories. I had this sinking feeling of dread waiting for the other shoe to drop. And, yet, our "heroine" keeps digging that hole, thinking somehow she'll escape the inevitable. Sweet in parts, too. This whole premise made me uncomfortable and I kept cringing for what they were going through.

Every family reunion but more dramatic!

[RogueVirus24 · 7/10 · 12 August 2021]

My personal thoughts on any family reunion are bad but this movie shows the reason why it's those same questions asked by different people and the full house judging you and the story are awesome because it has the family drama and on top of that she encounters her ex-girlfriend and her sugar daddy and to make it worse everybody judges her on being Bi and for being unemployed so it's pretty messed up but the score is what makes this movie funny and dramatic... the writing, acting and directing is great for a first-time filmmaker not gonna lie... I liked it very much!

Very Good

[maurirbravo · 9/10 · 27 November 2020]

Based on her eponymous short film (which I didn't see), the director gave us a great surprise, a film with solid black humor.

Thanks to the direction and the performances, it is not known what will happen.

It's a solid cross between humor, acid, and tension that works wonders.

If you like to see a liar squirm

[chong_an · 7/10 · 14 October 2020]

Danielle is lying to everyone, including her parents about her academic pursuits, current part-time job (babysitting, when she is having sex for money), and future plans. Fresh off a rendevous with a client, she joins her parents for a shiva. Packed with members of New York Jewish community, she has to deflect questions from the inquisitive and gossipy ladies. Also there is her former girlfriend, accepted into law school, something her parents would have wanted for her. Then her client shows up, followed by his wife and baby. As Danielle tries to square her various stories, there is even a In the Mood for Love moment with matching bracelets.

Shiva girl, shiva

[questl-18592 · 8/10 · 6 August 2021]

As a not Jewish person, I really appreciated this movie and it's attempt to give me a glimpse into the life of a modern woman trying to get by in her very traditional Jewish family. The fact that it's all condensed into one space, one day really helps build up the pressure and the tension in a way that feels fully authentic and earned. Some of the performances are a little rough around the edges, but not in a distracting way and actually serves to make this feel more like a real and authentic sort of indie piece.

This feels like a worthwhile watch, it's small and concise and explores a subject that doesn't feel like it gets enough time.

Claustrophobic, anxiety inducing horror

[jon_pratt12345 · 7/10 · 7 August 2021]

An intensely claustrophobic film which is basically a horror in disguise. It was like watching an inescapable nightmare and the kindness and attention lavished on the protagonist feels oppressive and unconcentual. There are funny moments but the comedy comes across as incidental; the overarching and continual theme is anxiety, which is induced from even the most benign situations and amped up very effectively by the unusual camera work and classic horror soundtrack.

Kept waiting for something to happen

[oanapou · 1/10 · 31 July 2021]

Nothing actually happens. The entire time. None of the caracters have even one redeaming quality.

Outstanding character study with astute observations

[paul-allaer · 7/10 · 8 July 2021]

As "Shiva Baby" (2020 release; 78 min.) opens, college student Danielle is with her sugar daddy, a guy named Max. Danielle rushes off to meet up with her parents at a shiva. There she runs into her longtime friend (but now somewhat estranged) Maya, who has just been accepted into law school. The contrast between these two couldn't be greater. Then comes the shocker: who but Max himself, along with his wife and their 18 mth. Old baby, show up at the shiva...

Couple of comments: this is the debut feature-length film from writer-producer-director Emma Seligman, adopting her 2017 short of the same name into a full-length. I haven't seen the short, but from having seen the feature-length, I have nothing but praise for Segilman. This film is full of astute observations, and provides a nuanced portrait and character study of Danielle, insecure and lacking in confidence as she tris to find her way in life. The social pressure from her parents and the many family friends at the shiva is unintentional but very real. And what about the encounter with Max? I'm not going to tell you of course... Please note that this almost feels like a theater play, as the entire film plays out in one particular house in Brooklyn. Kudos to Rachel Sennott, who plays the lead character Danielle just perfectly. Bottom line: this is one of those 'little' movies that packs a wallop far greater that could be expected. Filmed on an almost non-existing budget, this is markedly better than what Hollywood delivers on a regular basis and with budgets that test the belief.

"Shiva Baby" was supposed to premiere at last year's SXSW festival, but then a little thing called COVID-19 had other plans. It finally screened at last Fall's Toronto International Film Festival, to immediate critical acclaim. After a release in select theaters this Spring, "Shiva baby" started playing on HBO recently, which is where I caught it. If you have any interest in a well-developed indie film showcasing a great character study, I'd readily suggest you check this out, be it on HBO On Demand or other streaming services, or on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion.