A woman swallows not so swallowable stuff like batteries, pins, small metal objects and such. This is the premises of the film. Yet, it portrays much about other societal things that leads her to such a path and the film does it in a thrilling way that almost resonates with poignancy.

I don't usually see recent films from personal recommendations. I have grown a wall around over the years, because most of the time, these suggestions are let downs. But whoever suggested the film has a good taste in general and also the premises of the film nudged my interest, so I sat with it. While I don't think this is a great film, there are some takeaways I'd like to share.

Perhaps some contexts are warranted. Hunter is a young woman, married to a powerful business mogul's son, who has done nothing short to walk his father's path. While the couple smiles and waves, it's clear that Hunter is out of her elements. Her husband shows her off to flaunt his perfect life. She is a trophy wife. Her husband and everyone around his family and friends made sure that she understood marrying him was the highest of her life she could ever attain. As they squander about living their fancy bourgeoise life and not paying any heed to her, Hunter feels powerless, insecure, out of her depth, out of control. This is when she starts to eat the inedible objects. To make at least one action of her own. When her husband and the family get to know about her obsession, things escalate and Hunter’s dark past comes to light, which she had no control over as well.

Let's talk about Hunter's situation. It's obvious this is a psychological condition fuelled by her circumstance. I'd go full blown lunatic if I were in her shoes. Tossed around at every corner and becoming a lifeless plaything. Her only value is her womb, that would provide offsprings for the man. That put things into perspective as I know there are a lot of women in real life who are exactly in the same place. So, the film is not only a psycho-thriller, but also it's using those elements drawn from our society. No, she also cannot go back to her old home, whatever that means. That path is also closed. While western civilization has been enabling women to be self dependent for a while, it’s still not the case for many parts of the world. In third world countries, parents are much too eager to be rid of the girl, one less mouth to feed. And since she can't earn her livelihood (this situation is also forced upon the girl by society), she has to rely on her husband. No matter how much he tortures her, rapes her or worse, finally kills her. Her family is usually unwilling to take her back. I cannot imagine a worse hell than this. I also cannot help relating to the film. What's a psycho-thriller, is simply life to many...many women.

Perhaps the director knows that too. There's a powerful shot at one point of the film. Hunter goes to a public bathroom, shits, vomits blood and gets freshened up, leaves. But the camera doesn't follow her, instead it stays there. More women come, enter into the cubicles, do what they do, and leave —making room for the next woman. I'm assuming this scene symbolizes that — Hunter is only just another woman, among the crowd. What seems exceptional individually, ain't so exceptional.

I feel that the film doesn't back away from punching the audience when it comes to relaying a message but it lacks in the aesthetic department. But I think I’ll cut it some slack. A solid watch.

The photos are screenshots from the film.

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