SICK

A teenage boy is exiled to the countryside, tasked with caring for his ailing grandmother. Alone, he spends his days aimlessly scrolling Instagram, trying to get up the courage to text a girl he has a crush on. When his older sister shows up to help him, it’s a relief, as he now has company, as well as someone to help care for grandma. Relief quickly turns to annoyance as his sister begins teasing him, pushing his boundaries, and refusing to assist with their grandma’s care. What begins as a typical sibling dynamic slowly spirals into something much more complex, mirroring the transformation of their grandmother, who goes from lying comatose in bed to acting in extremely unusual and alarming ways.

You may recognize Agata Trzebuchowska from her acting career (including the Academy Award-winning IDA), but her first feature puts her on the map as an exciting new director to watch. Fully in command of her craft, Trzebuchowska has created a fearless film, with impeccable sound design, beautiful cinematography, and impressive performances from the entire cast.

The story unfolds subtly, slowly escalating, rewarding (or perhaps punishing) the viewer with my personal favorite ending of the fest. As the title implies, SICK is thrillingly perverse, which is the highest compliment at Fantastic Fest! (LISA DREYER)