Whoever says that birthing a child and becoming a mother are the simplest parts of being a woman is cruel and out of touch with reality. But don't let this first sentence in my review of Die My Love (2025) dissuade you from giving the movie a chance, if you're squeamish or sensitive about this topic. It's worth watching for reasons that I'll talk about here.
I've always loved Jennifer Lawrence in movies since her breakout roles in the Hunger Games and X-Men series. So when I saw this recent release of hers, I immediately got a copy to watch. That's right, I went in blind without reading the synopsis or watching the trailer. It's Jennifer Lawrence, I was sure I won't be disappointed but after watching it, I have mixed feelings about the movie.
Based on novel of the same name by Ariana Harwicz, and directed by Lynne Ramsay, Die My Love is a psychological thriller that takes viewers on a spiraling journey through the love life of Jackson (Robert Pattinson) and Grace (Jennifer Lawrence). They are a happy young couple who move into a big Montana house formerly belonging to Jackson's late uncle. They don't know how he died though Grace is curious about it.
Once they move in, they are happy, playful and having sex most of the time. Soon, Grace becomes pregnant and Jackson's family come around to celebrate with them. After having their baby, Jackson gets a job that takes him away from home a lot, leaving Grace alone with the baby. When he returns, Grace checks his car and finds condoms in his glove compartment. She begins to suspect he's cheating. This leads to arguments and soon, Grace is acting out.
She has hallucinations and sometimes hurts herself. Jackson is confused about the change in her. Does he understand what she's going through? Who can help Grace through this confusing period?
My Review And Rating
This is a raw and intense display of early motherhood from the perspective of a young woman. That's the plot of this movie and the storytelling presents it in a way that can be shocking to the senses for sensitive viewers. Director Lynne Ramsay is not subtle about post-natal depression but goes deep into the psyche of a woman to explore the reality of this mental issue. She takes us step by step through this experience alongside Grace, leaving us sober.
Jennifer Lawrence is an actress who delivers in her roles. She's very good at embodying her characters such that they feel so real. She portrays a young woman in love, who moves into a house with her partner and is happy. Soon she's pregnant, has a baby and things begin to spiral out of her control.
She doesn't shy away from sensual and emotional displays expected of a woman and new mother. The displays of desire, anger, confusion and despair are raw and convincing. We see her tortured state of mind in her daunting silence and sarcastic statements. She carries this burden that no one seems able to help her with. Even her mother-in-law struggles just like her but there is no solution in sight. It's pitiful.
I've never liked Robert Pattinson in films. Seeing him act as Jennifer Lawrence's partner in this movie gives me the creeps. As expected, his character is uncaring and annoying. The scene where Grace acts out in front of friends at a party, and he has the gall to have a panic attack, pisses me off. Yet he still relies on her to calm him. At this point, I'm not sure if I'll ever watch any of his movies again.
One part of this movie I don't like is the shroudy portrayal of the motorcyclist, Karl played by LaKeith Stanfield. Grace fantasizes about having an affair with him and he appears in a number of scenes but his presence is underdeveloped. At first, I wasn't even sure if it was real for Grace or fantasy. That's a flaw that dims the emotional impact of this movie.
The cinematography isn't too good, in my opinion. Some of the camera shots are unstable and the visuals feel flat due to the washed-out colour palette of the movie. I wish the colour was bolder.
Rating this movie, I will give it 3.8 stars out of 5 because of the underdeveloped character and poor visuals. This movie gets points for the plot and acting. Jennifer Lawrence did great giving her fans an honest and raw portrayal of female burden. Let me know your thoughts if you have seen this movie.
All images above are screenshots from the movie
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