Die My Love (2025)

Film Details

A BFI London Film Festival Screening

Director: Lynne Ramsay

Run Time: 118 mins

Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Pattinson, Sissy Spacek, LaKeith Stanfield, Nick Nolte, Sarah Lind

Synopsis:

When a young couple move back to the country, aspiring writer and new mother, Grace, slowly slips into madness as her increasingly erratic behaviour gets dangerous.

My Review

Jennifer Lawrence once again illustrates why she is one of the best actors in the business, encapsulating Grace’s descent into mental instability and depression perfectly. Die My Love will be an uncomfortable watch for many, sure the simply crazy moments can sometimes be humorous and comical but from an outsider looking in, dysfunctional households can often seem that way. But more importantly, it highlights the effects of isolation, especially for new mothers without a present support system. Robert Pattinson was a perfect casting for Jackson, he has the ability to play both sides of the same coin, on one hand the caring and nonchalant partner but on the other, inconsiderate and provocative. It allowed for a tense tug of war between the two characters, pulling the audience between them but ultimately landing in a place of sympathy and sadness.

The use of 35mm film and 1.33:1 academy ratio really emphasised the almost sadistic fairytale nature of the movie. It felt disconnected from reality at times, almost like we were getting caught up in Grace’s mind. Meanwhile sound plays an important part in enhancing the themes of the film too, from the loud and abrupt rock and roll, often representing the moments where the characters felt free, to the juxtaposing, yet intruding sound of the crickets and flies in the lonely countryside, emphasising that sense of isolation. Unfortunately the pacing does drop off in the final act, as the film begins to drag but nonetheless, it’s still an important dramatic comedy on love and mental health. Although, in my opinion, the book positions the couple on a more equal playing field, both at fault, whereas the film certainly places Jackson in a more sympathetic role, inconsiderate sure, with implications of wrong doing at times, but it never leaned into that as boldly as the source material.

My Rating: 7.5 out of 10

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Film Review Club