Veronica Woo

Understanding this movie is a lot like wearing masks during Covid. If you have any semblance of intelligence, you will acknowledge that there is value to its existence. The horror and cultural references of the movie really provide a backdrop for the core theme: mother-daughter relationships, which is why some of the male critics may not appreciate the gravity of its significance and may even mistake emotional maturity for bad acting. However, this is not the case. Sandra Oh delivered her performance with the same finesse as her long-running stellar performance in Grey's with an added edge of suspense and thrill. As I mentioned, this movie requires some form of intelligence. In current America, where media is dominated by instant delivery of images, news reels, and superficial online community-driven reactions, it takes time to peel the layers of the onion that is this movie, if you let yourself do it. Stripping away the vapid car chases and fight sequences that are annoyingly ubiquitous in almost every new Netflix release, this exploration of an interpersonal familial relationship provides a much needed deep breath of fresh air from all the pomp and circumstance that shrouds or even serves to stand in for true theatric talent. From a more philosophical view, I would even push to say that the foundation of this movie lies in its representation of a tradition of matriarchs who've learned the hard way to step down and pass the torch from generation to generation. All in all, an excellent horror movie that doesn't need any frills. Solid.