Written and directed by Paris Zarcilla, an undocumented Filipina immigrant lands a job as a care-worker for a terminal old man, securing a better life for her and her daughter. But a dark discovery threatens to destroy everything she’s strived for and holds dear. Starring: Max Eigenmann, Jaeden Paige Boadilla, Leanne Best, David Hayman.
It’s surprising that it’s only in recent years horror films have started to explore the immigrant experience because there are so many ways the topic can be interpreted through fear, hatred and uncertainty. Raging Grace quickly feels reminiscent of Nocebo, but whereas Finnegan goes for something more twisted and highly stylised, Paris Zarcilla plays things grounded. Focusing on the everyday but viewing that through a lens of tension and mystery. It’s then elevated by a wonderful score (by Jon Clarke) which ups the dramatics.
Another great choice which has a lot to add is the way in which Zarcilla uses camera movement, mix and matching the slow with the fast to keep the audience tuned into the air of suspicion. It does well to employ that classic use of red flags and foreshadowing, leading you to where it’s headed but not completely giving it away. There are even moments when it wanders into the feeling of a haunting to keep its horror side fed. It’s also great to see it try to weave Filipino culture throughout the story, it could be stronger but it’s a very welcome presence.
However, while it moves confidently and the atmosphere is compelling, even more so when mixed with the strong creation of Joy’s character, it lets itself down in the end. It suddenly takes a turn for the stylistic and pushes towards shock or hallucinatory effect, which sadly coming in so late in the game feels unjustified. It highlights the cracks in the story and the easy roads that it takes to wrap up various parts of its plot. It’s a shame as how it builds is ultimately more satisfying than what it’s building to.
Although the introduction of David Hayman’s Mr. Garrett definitely works hard to try and give Raging Grace the menacing ending it so clearly wants. Hayman effortlessly builds an untrustworthy air, tapping into a character that you know has something to hide. His performance is intense and chilling, pairing him with Max Eigenmann’s generous and kind Grace is a great contrast. Eigenmann leads the film with a sympathetic and gentle air, while also building all of the strength and resilience to her character.
Jaeden Paige Boadilla’s Grace also works very hard to keep things interesting, she creates that classically uncontainable energy of a child. She’s full of curiosity and likely to have a cheeky response when asked to keep quiet or still. It’s actually only a shame we don’t get to delve into her slightly devious side, especially as the story plays a lot with her mental state. The same could potentially be said for Leanne Best’s Katherine, there’s more to her than meets the eye, hidden beneath her cold prejudice, which Best portrays with such a great bite, but it’s not until the very last minute we start to see behind that.
Raging Grace has a strong foundation, it has a compelling atmosphere and plenty of tension but loses its firm hand at the wheel when the ending approaches. It tries to go all in rather than holding onto a subtlety and it’s a shame as it undermines the great work it does until that point. Especially from the superb mix of actors, Max Eigenmann is excellent, Jaeden Paige Boadilla is very sweet, David Hayman brings a big intensity and Leanne Best taps into the old racism of privilege. As a debut feature from Paris Zarcilla, it shows a great deal of talent as it’s shot so well, it simply goes off the rails in its resolution, leaving an unsatisfying feel.
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