Chicago Critics Film Fest 2023 Review: birth/rebirth

✰✰✰✰​ (out of five)

Synopsis: A morgue technician successfully reanimates the body of a little girl, but she must harvest biological materials from pregnant women to keep the child breathing. When the girl's mother, a nurse, discovers her baby is alive, the two enter into a deal that forces them both down a dark path.

Review: "birth/rebirth" is a clear sign of the times through an old tale. Whether its a metaphor for gender identity or reassignment or defense on woman's reproductive rights, director Laura Moss' spin on the "Frankenstein" story is both revolutionary and familiar--good and bad. I may be biased considering my love of the "Frankenstein" novel and any iteration therein. While this one does some tough work and impressive horror images, there still is a bit lacking for a full body of work. Despite it's flaws, it is an extremely impressive debut for Moss and their effectively grim feminist horror flick.

Note: This film reviewed after CCFF 2023 wrapped, when available for rent/purchase.