Attachment (2022) User Reviews

A Love Story Steeped in Jewish Folklore

[presselking · 6/10 · 4 December 2022]

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.

A slow burn horror romance story in the Jewish folklore

[amandamunozdav · 6/10 · 8 February 2023]

A horror film relying on Jewish folklore, religious allegories, and codependency that falls into a disappointing resolution. Attachment shows the beginning of the relationship between Maja and Leah after meeting in a library. Quickly they'll develop feelings but without knowing much of each others life. This sparks the tension in the couple after Leah suffered a seizure forcing them both to travel to London to Leah's mother house and Maja realizes that a secret is hold in between the walls. From the moment Leah returns home her mother insists in doing everything for her even when she's capable of doing it on her own.

Maja and Leah's mother Chana relationship starts with the wrong foot and Maja's efforts only pushes them further. Once the plot twist appears everything starts to make sense and their relationship can finally develop. Sadly, towards the end the film becomes another generic possession horror movie. What starts as a strong, original, captivating horror film turns into a disappointment in the third act. The acting, score, cinematography, and story converge on a satisfying exploration of family dynamics and superstitions. Unfortunately, the ending takes away from the excellence that the film presented at the beginning.

Not a bad horror film

[markwha · 6/10 · 27 February 2023]

Certainly a must watch film for fans of the genre. The casting, cinematography, acting, scores and writing are all very good. There were only a couple things which held it back from being a true great.

The first is that despite that it's a horror movie with an 18+ rating it isn't very scary at all. There are some good creepy elements here and there and the mood gets rather spooky from time to time but it never comes close to a full follow through and give you any dread or fear that you might come to expect with these types of films. Instead it's replaced with an element of mystery which does do a pretty good job of keeping you interested but very far away from being horrified.

The next thing I took issue with is despite the frequency of sex scenes, you never see any 18+ nudity - now I'm not saying that from the viewpoint of one who seeks out films filled with cheap pornographic material from plastic actresses. The camera work, lighting and makeup takes a very cinematic approach - the actresses are made to look like real people you could encounter in the street - they have laugh lines and blemishes, their makeup isn't always done and their hair doesn't always look perfect but yet they are quite attractive none the less. It all comes together to create a sense of realism that's quite submersible and effective. But watching numerous sex scenes unfold without seeing a bare behind or even a bare breast make an appearance but instead two people making love and staying unnaturally fully covered I found created contrast to the otherwise realistic and raw tone the rest of the film seemed to adhere to. In short it just seemed out of place and offbeat and gave the feeling of something being missing from the experience.

While the twist at the end was predictable and formulaic it didn't conclude the film in the exact way that I was expecting so i'll award half points for its conclusion. All in all I would certainly recommend that genre fans give it a watch - while it's not very scary it also doesn't rely on cheap jump scares and instead gives an honest effort towards creating a good atmospheric mystery with some horror elements and it's certainly worth your time.

A slow-paced exploration of relationship fears and Jewish mythology

[FilmFanatic2023 · 6/10 · 10 February 2023]

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.

Zeeskeit

[Howling_at_the_Moon_Reviews · 6/10 · 11 July 2023]

A slow burn Jewish folklore romance thriller with horror aspects, did I get it right? Haha

This movie was good. Not very scary but pretty thrilling throughout. Don't go into this thinking you're going to get a full blown horror, much more of a thriller/drama. It stayed pretty dark and atmospheric once it got going but I wish we could've cut some of the first half and gotten to the meat of the creepiness quicker... because once it got there, it was quite cool. A huge positive for this one was the acting. Everyone did a pretty excellent job and worked really well as an ensemble. Props to the actors in the casting Director. I also enjoyed seeing a queer couple juxtaposed with a religious scenario and the whole plot not revolving around the fact that they were queer. It was refreshing to see it as normalized and not the focal point.

Overall, this was an entertaining film... pace could have been picked up and some of the filler trimmed but I stayed engaged and intrigued throughout. 6.5 rounding down to a 6, would recommend.

IG - howlingatthemoonreviews.

Subtle portrait

[avindugunasinghe · 7/10 · 22 February 2023]

Natten har øjne has a deeper depth than what eyes meet. Despite the supernatural aspects and eventual demise of the matriarch the Devil appears to be the social dilemma and disapproval. And storytellers have masterfully concealed all this in Hebrew folklore and creaking floors at midnight. Natten har øjne firmly hold on to the mysteriousness throughout the entirety making it a immersive watch. Great use of sound effects and visuals which are the only indications of the malicious entity. Thorough performances by the cast maintaining the essential abrupt pauses. A unique premise for horror fans.

Better than expected

[BandSAboutMovies · 6/10 · 21 March 2023]

If anything, this movie has a relationship that you want to see make it. Maja (Josephine Park) and Leah (Ellie Kendrick) meet cute in a library and accidentally switch books. As they meet up again to trade, the two go for tea, which turns into wine, which turns into the kind of relationship that shuts out of the rest of the world. Everything is perfect until a night when Leah has a seizure that breaks her leg. That's when all the missed calls from her mother and avoidance of her past life all make more sense.

Maja goes with Leah back to her home in London, in the same building as her mother Chana (Sofie Gråbøl), a woman who seems to believe that only she can take care of her daughter. As you can imagine, there are the worries of a new relationship, much less what could be a forbidden one within the orthodox Jewish community where Chana and Leah live.

It might seem strange for anyone. But then throw in all those symbols, talk of demons and meetings with bookstore owner Lev (David Dencik) who reveals that there's even more going on -- he's also Leah's uncle and gets pulled into this drama -- and you have quite the predicament for young love.

Director and writer Gabriel Bier Gislason allows the leads time to win you over while also building the tension with Jewish mysticism and mentions of golem and dybbuk. It's intriguing to see a side of possession film outside of Catholic religion and Lev makes both great comic relief, source of exposition and someone who is amazed when what he has only read of in books because horrifyingly real.

Jewish Exorcism

[jjensendk · 3/10 · 14 January 2023]

This story is mainly a Jewish edition of the 1975-movie the Exorcist: A girl is possessed by some kind of demon, and her family must connect with som clericals to expell the demon. The Exorcist described a Catholic expulsion, while Attachment depicts a Jewish community's troubles with supernatural creatures. Attachment contains a smaller amount of special effects and does not contribute very many new aspects if any. So all in all Attachment gives a less spectacular story but with the same elements e.g: changes in both physical and psychological apperance, the demon is expelled, and the girls are redeemed and reunited with their families.

Slow, but worth it.

[hannah-mae91 · 7/10 · 13 October 2023]

This isn't the most frightening or exciting option. I would even hesitate to call it horror or suspense. It is, rather, a drama in which the characters are facing the horrifying.

This is in a camp of a new (to me) subgenre of horror: folk horror. Horror that is based on folklore, tradition, myth, superstition, whatever you want to call it, OTHER than Christianity. Everything from the themes to the behavior to the nature of the horror itself is unfamiliar and exciting. Stories that have been sidelined for much of mainstream cinematic history finally having their say.

If you're sick of possession horror movies and bible-thumping exorcists, and you want more than cheap thrills and jump scares, try this. Horror is the clearest window into a culture that there is, and if you are excited or intrigued to learn and see new approaches, this is worth your time. If, on the other hand, you want a fun, butt-clenching popcorn flick, go elsewhere. Those movies are fantastic too, but this will bore you. And if you need excitement with your intrigue and interesting story, you may wish to give this a pass as well.

Shudders is meeting Netflix

[zeionara · 5/10 · 18 February 2023]

It might be a surprise for the director, but having a Jewish lesbian as your main character does not make a film good automatically, as well as making your main character a person of color. Actually, the movie is extremely tedious. The flow of events looks inconsistent, the major story turns are artificial, and as a result the whole atmosphere is ruined. Concerning the core of the story, it is extremely simplistic and ordinary, though there is indeed an interesting twist in the concluding episode.

The two good qualities of the picture is amazing font applied for title and opening credits and music in the first half of the movie.

Wouldn't go watching it in the cinema nor see it at home.

A Danish quasi-horror movie

[visualart-57131 · 8/10 · 28 February 2023]

"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.

A Bit Too Slow

[thalassafischer · 6/10 · 9 June 2023]

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.

unfortunately

[tchitouniaram · 3/10 · 25 December 2023]

Unfortunately for European and , probably , world cinema too , but the cheap thrills for brainless modern society :Hollywood style reached and influenced , even the far out little Nordic countries ... Seems , that instead a good story , acting , imagination and direction , this days you just need a lesbian ( Jewish at that))) , story of a classic Exorcist , mix it all together in a boring and lazy way , and voila !: instant churned out " horror " ... And the sad fact is , that considering , that most of the people , will be just afraid to dislike this film ( PC rules ) , here is another good for nothing offering with abnormally decent rating ... 3 stars , just because , I managed to watch it to the end...

A Fine Foreign Language Thriller/Light Horror Film.

[Real_Review · 5/10 · 5 June 2023]

A lesbian artist struggles with her Jewish girlfriend's mental issues and over-involved and mother.

I counted 4 languages, so nearly everyone that watches will need subtitles. The pacing is slowwwwwww. Almost too slow. But, once the actual plot is finally revealed, it is an engaging movie. No great film ever made you wait an hour to explain what you were watching, so the pacing definitely diminishes the film.

It could have been a little sexier. There were a couple of very hot & realistic sex scenes that both stopped abruptly. Not cool. But, there are many scenes of Josephine Park in her panties. The reason we put sex scenes and gratuitous nudity into these type of films is so that they "stand out". Again, this is a fine film - but it wasn't courageous enough to contain anything "outstanding".

RealReview Posting Scoring Criteria:

Acting: 1/1;

Casting: 1/1;

Directing: 1/1;

Story: 1/1;

Writing/Screenplay: 1/1;

Total Base Score = 5

Modifiers (+ or -): none.

Total RealReview Rating: 5.

A Clever and Punchy Little Horror Film

[eclittlefield · 8/10 · 14 June 2022]

This film was an incredibly enjoyable and engaging watch, and really fun to see in the cinema. A beautiful example of claustrophobic family horror, it manages to balance tension and emotional stakes while still being funny and charming. Every member of the small cast gives a really phenomenal performance.

This was a quarantine film that was shot quickly, and it shows a little in some clumsy exposition but that is easily my only criticism. All told, it is incredibly sharp, original and multifaceted, with a stunning cast and strong direction, a wonderful, complex queer storyline and a very fresh take on some old tropes. Absolutely delightful.

Well done original film with some familiar themes

[camerontfreeman · 8/10 · 21 June 2023]

First of, I watched this twice. Once alone and once with my wife, who cannot take any kind of gore or torture - so feel safe to view if those are your limits. There's enough in this film that is unique to give it a good rating and enough call back to other films of the same genre that was adapted without being a ripoff. It kept me guessing throughout and everything was delivered in a well thought out manner. My wife's big criticism was she didn't really understand why the main characters were together in the first place but as the film developed, it did make sense to me. No spoiler there, just something to consider if you land on my side or hers. The makeup and acting were really well done. This movie is all about the character's interactions and doesn't rely on jump scares or cgi. A somewhat unique story with a splash of Jewish mysticism. Memorable.

A highly effective and enjoyable possession genre effort

[kannibalcorpsegrinder · 8/10 · 4 May 2023]

After meeting a potential partner, a woman joins her on a trip back to her mother's house after a stroke leaves her paralyzed, and while recuperating she believes the upcoming stress is due to a possession of a dybbuk demon that's resurfaced and must battle the spirit to free her.

This was a pretty solid if slightly underwhelming genre effort. One of the better elements present here comes from the highly engaging setup that provides an incredibly fun starting point for the whole situation. After initially bringing it together with a fine romance angle between them that includes a fine meet-cute at a bookstore and their eventual connection that builds up over the course of the next couple of days together, the first half of the film is incredibly well-accomplished with a great introduction to their relationship. Featuring the slow introduction of the Jewish Orthodox traditions and regulations that are given much more credence in the second half when the chaos starts to interject itself into the film, the film starts off incredibly well with the way this is presented. This allows for the film to turn rather fun once it becomes a bit more obvious about the supernatural intentions behind the visit and her mother's involvement. Generating some fantastic early warning signs with the standoffish behavior, strange powders and objects left in odd locations around the house, and the protective nature of the mother trying to seemingly harm her before turning around to be protective with a fantastic revelation of what's going on, there's quite a lot going on here which makes for a rather fun time here. Realizing the full extent of what's going on and the necessary requirement for getting the sacred ritual needed to free her from its control, it's unique enough on the exorcism effort that it's got quite a lot to like about it that holds it up overall. There are some drawbacks to the film that bring it down. One of the main issues here is the overall relaxed pace that requires this to be far more laid-back and reserved than those who require far more activity than what we get here. The emphasis on this one being built around the relationship that emerges between the two and the mother once she returns home makes for a lot of awkwardness and uncomfortable moments in the first half as the focus is more on the conflict that arises over how to best care for the stroke victim despite all evidence to the contrary providing this with nothing out of the ordinary being presented so it just comes off as a territorial struggle for her affections which is fine enough but takes up way too much time before getting to the good parts. Combined with the frustration of not being able to see the obvious which is what makes this stuff last as long as it does, these are the films' main drawbacks.

Rated Unrated/R: Graphic Language and Violence.

A dash of Nordic chill & Jewish folklore

[gemmacapparelli · 8/10 · 14 February 2023]

A lovely tense subtle horror with an enjoyable secondary love story theme. The start feels much like a cross border love story with European interests. We meet our two protagonists Maja an actress and Leah an academic. They begin an interesting love story which starts to show signs of complications mostly through the meddling of a stricly regilous mother.

This Shudder surprise was a welcome addition to the growing Jewish horror genre (also see The Vigil.) We are introduced into a universe of ancient horrifying folklore villains most notably The Dybbuk. This spritely horror leaves the viewer feeling optimistic yet cautiously pragmatic.

Loved this "gleeful" gently "horror film"

[gailspilsbury · 10/10 · 22 October 2022]

Attachment is a modern-day thriller/horror film with no violence or blood, just fear of the supernatural lurking in the atmosphere. The story involves Jewish mysticism-what non-mystics would call superstitions to ward off demons and evil. The only way to talk about the film risks a spoiler, for the plot's clues are so subtly woven into the action as to be missed. Be forewarned: unless you keep an unswerving eye on the camera's focus and listen acutely to the dialogues' subtext, puzzlement may result. And the epilogue's playful twist only adds to audience uncertainty. At the same time, it is this very eeriness about the presence of invisible evil that disturbs us in a marvelous way.

The film moves briskly and features three female protagonists, two of them-Maja and Chana-antagonists for the love of the third, Leah. Chana is Leah's Jewish mother and Maya is Leah's non-Jewish lover. A fourth character, Lev, Chana's Orthodox brother-in-law and religious bookstore owner, is a scholar of the Kabbalah-Jewish mysticism that has, as Lev tells us, "the power to unlock the secrets of the universe and ward off evil." Chana also knows and practices the Kabbalah's esoteric rituals that include amulets, heaps of salt in the corners of rooms, candles lit at night, and soup concoctions made with chants to activate their magical powers-incantations like those of the witches in Macbeth, their cauldron bubbling with portentous vapors. We meet shopkeepers in London's Orthodox neighborhood, home to Leah, Chana, and Lev. These vendors also know the mystic traditions and secretly sell Chana the sacred ingredients she needs for the rituals she performs for Leah, her lovely and charismatic daughter.

The film begins with Leah, a graduate student, meeting Maja during a research trip to Denmark. The two fall in love and return to Leah's London flat, located above her mother Chana's flat. The plot then takes off with sinister and suspenseful sounds and inexplicable happenings. Lev shows Maja a book from his shop about "the other side." He turns the pages, pointing out supernatural beings who are evil, such as the Dybbuk, the tortured soul of a dead person who possesses a living person's body, causing that person derangement and death-unless the Dybbuk can be expelled. Secret rituals can attempt to exorcise a Dybbuk, Lev tells Maja, but they are life threatening to those who perform them, and "nowadays out of favor, deemed dangerous. The Talmud forbids black magic and sorcery."

Leah's increasingly strange condition and her mother's even stranger behavior, feeds the suspense and mystery of the movie. Catastrophe looms in the atmosphere. Uncertainty rivets each ticking minute: Who is good, who is evil? Is Chana a witch? Is Lev dangerous? What is going on that we do not yet understand? And can Maja-the only innocent one in this scary coterie-save her beloved from the invisible evil clutches moving in at an ever faster rate? Attachment offers viewers a fabulous, bated-breath film journey.

Sofie Grabol (Chana) deserves special note for her role as Leah's mother. She fully embodies Chana's deep psychic pain for the life of her daughter. Every detail of Chana's internal, turmoiled state brims in her facial expressions, her movements and speech. It is as if she herself is possessed by a terrible power slowly destroying her. Attachment eschews back story-we learn little about the characters before the film's present moment, and that is all we need to be in the grip of this thrilling tale.

To Call it a Jewish Exorcist is Oversimplifying.

[setgetsiin · 10/10 · 5 May 2023]

It is nowhere near as intense as the Exorcist. What it DID reveal to me is a lot in common with Paganism and Yoruba (grandmother of Santeria, VooDoo).

Sure, yes, of COURSE Jewish Mysticism, but I hadn't realized just how closely related all things otherwordly are connected. It was just an interesting surprise, because I come from Jewish and Catholic roots...but primarily was brought up Pagan. You don't see this side of the Jewish faith...crystals, sea salts, etc. All my Jewish grandparents were extremely stoic and earthy--logical with facts, please.

Just my experience, of course but the point is that it still gave me a nice surprise, something learned. It's wonderful to learn something that close which hadn't been known before. This is where I find joy, learning new things. So close to home (so to speak) was icing.

Another review wrote that this is a couple you want to see make it. Definitely had those vibes, I typically do not go for Rom Com but this was really sweet. You form a relationship with your main characters--The Deerhunter had this element. Spent a good hour getting to know those guys, party with them, so to speak. The gut punches that follow make it that more extraordinary.

Such is it with this movie. The makeup was very good too, the skin deterioration was done in an unusual (but still incredibly ugly) style. Subtle, giving one the heebiejeebies.

Moral of the Story: Communication is KEY. Someone screams in your face that they love your adult child...you might want to ensure that they know how to keep your adult child alive. Yikes.

Loved this Movie

[lwalt-75058 · 8/10 · 8 March 2023]

Saying anything would detract from letting the movie impact you real time. Watch it. You'll not be disappointed. You might just watch everything that Josephine Park and Ellie Kendrick have ever made. The relationship between the main characters is one that all couples should aspire to have. Josephine gave this movie all it could ask for. It delivers all the things it promises and does not pull punches. I was entertained and captivated for the entire movie. This movie also blended two cultures and diverse character demeanors very well. Can't wait to check out other movies by the Director. Would suggest this to anyone who enjoyed A Dark Song.