At the start of Fantastic Fest we reviewed Oliver Parker’s The Offering. Our review highlighted the burgeoning movement of horror stories exploring the Jewish faith. Now, as our Fantastic Fest coverage ends, comes another film to add to the rapidly expanding sub-genre, Attachment.
Written and directed by Gabriel Bier Gislason, Attachment tells the story of Danish former-actor Maja (Josephine Park) and English Jewish academic Leah (Ellie Kendrick). The pair meet in a bookshop in Denmark. Sparks fly immediately and the two quickly become close. Then after Leah suffers a mysterious seizure, Maja accompies Leah back to London. There she meets Leah’s mother, Chana (Sofie Gråbøl), a heavily religious and superstitious woman, obsessed with demons and overbearing in her care of Leah. As Maja tries to understand Chana’s Jewish beliefs she uncovers a dark secret that could change everything.
Attachment has a great first half. The work put into building the dynamic between Maja and Leah is thoughtful and sweet, For the first few scenes the audience could be forgiven for thinking Attachment is a sugary sweet rom-com. Kendrick and Park have beautiful chemistry and they truly sell the idea of love at first sight. This set-up is vital for where the story will venture. The audience needs to have invested in the two so that they care when malevolent forces arrive to try and tear them apart. Furthermore, the set-up crucially has both characters introduced at the same time as they collide in the bookstore. The viewer therefore has no prior knowledge of either woman; everything is a mystery. Another necessity for what is to come.
Whilst the first act sets up everything perfectly, once in London it becomes clear where the story is headed. By the time the end comes, the destination has been obvious for a while. Attachment still remains engaging though, buoyed by the fantastic performances of Park, Kendrick and Gråbøl. Although a film that starts better than it ends, Attachment is never boring and presents perhaps one of the more exciting interpretations of the Jewish faith into horror film.
Attachment
Summary
Though the final act might be somewhat of a misfire, Attachment is a fine entry into the new wave of Jewish horror. A strong and solid opening act captures attention and imagination, and more than makes up for the slightly deflated finale.
Attachment was reviewed at Fantastic Fest.
