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Directed by Relic and Apartment 7A filmmaker Natalie Erika James, Saccharine centers on Hana (Midori Francis), a medical student who takes diet pills to lose weight. The pills, however, are made of human ash, and Hana’s actions lead to possible encounters with a ghost! Madeleine Madden is Alanya, a gym trainer who is the object of Hana’s affections and Danielle Macdonald is Hana’s close friend (and fellow medical student) Josie. Check out Bruce Purkey’s review below!
Read more: ‘Saccharine’ Review: Midori Francis Delivers “Fully Committed” Performance In Body Horror Film
Although Saccharine may be initially compared to The Substance, it might even harken back to a Roman Polanski classic. “It feels more like Repulsion, I think, where you have a singular character, not always trapped in her apartment, but she is trapped in her body,” said Bruce Purkey. “This thing that should be making her feel better about herself ends up making her spin more out of control. It’s a pretty interesting movie.”
Purkey praised the heck out of Relic, and although he viewed Apartment 7A as a “letdown,” he was looking forward to director/writer Natalie Erika James’ latest effort. Although he recommended Saccharine (he gave it 3.5/5 stars), he was slightly disappointed with the feature.
“The central performance of Hana by Midori Francis is really good,” added Purkey. “She’s fully committed. So that helps a lot with this movie too. So I probably sound like I’m higher on this movie than I actually am.”
Both Eric Holmes (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) and I ( ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2) gave Saccharine higher marks, and I will be posting a separate article where we discuss spoilers.
Saccharine, for me, is on the same level (and it may have exceeded) Relic. The third act, when Hana finally comes into her own, is a visual tour de force from James and cinematographer Charlie Sarroff (Smile, Smile 2). The final moments should divide cinephiles, but I was totally on board with James’ uncompromising outcome. Stay for the film’s end credits!
All three of our Saccharine reviews are up on CinemAddicts, and you can also check out Bruce’s solo coverage on YouTube:
Saccharine is now playing in theaters.
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