Hot Milk (2025) - Film Review

      Hot Milk, 2025.

      Written and Directed by Rebecca Lenkiewicz.

      Featuring Emma Mackey, Fiona Shaw, Vicky Krieps, Vincent Perez, Yann Gael, Patsy Ferran, Yorgos Tsiantoulas, Paris Thomopoulos, Korina Gougouli, Denia Mimerini, Dimitris Oikonomidis, and Electra Sarri.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A mother and daughter embark on a journey to the Spanish coast in search of a cure for a peculiar illness, during which the daughter uncovers an alternate reality that diverges from her mother’s controlling influence. Anthropology enthusiast Sofia (Emma Mackey) feels imprisoned, akin to being confined to a wheelchair, much like her domineering mother, Rose (Fiona Shaw), who constantly demands care. Symbolic fantasies portray this situation, yet it is suggested that Rose’s inability to walk may be psychological. Penned and helmed by Rebecca Lenkiewicz (based on Deborah Levy's novel), Hot Milk candidly addresses Rose's traumatic history, which has caused her to become estranged from her family and divorced from Sofia’s Greek father. Over time, her paralysis has intensified, leading the pair to seek help from Dr. Gomez (Vincent Perez) in Spain, who aims to dismantle these psychological barriers and compel Rose to face her pain in order to move forward.

      Such an outcome would significantly enhance Sofia’s quality of life. We meet her watching a couple on the beach, and it appears intentional that her brief, dialogue-free moment is also given to Emma Mackey’s stand-in (as noted in the credits). Sofia's troubles extend beyond romance; she struggles to complete her anthropology studies while caring for her mother and accompanying her to numerous medical appointments.

      Yet, her yearning for something beyond her current situation intensifies when she encounters the free-spirited and seemingly perfect Ingrid (Vicky Krieps). Though Ingrid also harbors a sorrowful past, the immediate chemistry between them is palpable, attributed to their mutual beauty, even if the film falters in fully developing their characters. Instead, it presents a sequence of scenes that follow a predictable arc, ultimately lacking depth. While attraction exists, there is minimal chemistry or intensity between them.

      This encapsulates the issue with Hot Milk: it strives for a significant and impactful narrative but comes off as vacío, as if translating the core of these characters from page to screen proved too challenging. While various personal details surface about these characters, they fail to evoke emotional resonance or create a more intricate portrayal. Despite her limited presence, Fiona Shaw excels in her role, effectively portraying her troubled, controlling, and multifaceted character, succeeding in conveying several intense emotional moments.

      Incorporating visual cues that suggest a caregiver for the disabled may themselves be disabled raises questions. This portrayal reinforces the notion in an uncomfortably simplistic manner, regardless of whether Rose is indeed feigning her condition. Sofia finds herself constrained and unable to experience life fully, a reality that should not be diminished or dismissed; nonetheless, there are subtler ways to convey this message. However, that may be expecting too much from Hot Milk, an excessively tedious film that culminates in an absurd ending, which is perplexing and tone-deaf.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★

      Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association, Critics Choice Association, and Online Film Critics Society. He holds the position of Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews and follow my BlueSky or Letterboxd.