Film Review – Nesting (2025)

      Nesting, 2025.

      Written and Directed by Chloé Cinq-Mars.

      Featuring Rose-Marie Perreault, Simon Landry-Desy, Saladin Dellers, Marie Bélanger, and Alex Lauzon.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A young mother grappling with postpartum depression and insomnia becomes increasingly tormented by the tragic death of her sister, leading her further into psychological distress while she attempts to care for her infant.

      Inspired by her own experiences with postpartum depression, writer-director Chloé Cinq-Mars presents Nesting, which treads a fine line between melodrama and psychological horror. This balance is both its most significant strength and, at times, a source of frustration.

      Pénélope (Rose-Marie Perreault) is utterly drained. Her days merge into one another, and even simple dialogues feel oddly detached. Caring for a newborn has her relying more on instinct than logic, and after a violent confrontation during a late-night visit to a convenience store, she becomes convinced she has encountered her sister Charlotte, despite Charlotte’s death years prior.

      What ensues isn't precisely a ghost story, though it occasionally teeters on the edge of one. It isn’t quite a mystery either. Rather, the film concentrates more on Pénélope's surroundings than on Charlotte. The incessant advice, the subtle scrutiny, and the overarching sentiment that everyone seems to have an opinion on motherhood except the one living through it create a heavy atmosphere.

      Scenes involving Gaspard, Pénélope’s husband, resonate deeply more than the overtly disturbing incidents. Nothing supernatural transpires, nor is anyone in peril. It’s merely another interaction between two individuals who no longer effectively communicate. The film contains many such moments: discussions that barely resemble arguments and dialogues that inexplicably leave everyone feeling worse off.

      Perreault delivers a remarkable performance. What struck me most was not the larger emotional scenes but the quieter, subtler ones. She often appears to be juggling several reactions simultaneously, as if Pénélope is hesitant to express her true feelings in real time. There’s a clear internal struggle as she determines which emotions are permissible and which must remain concealed, fearful of causing any alarm or raising suspicion.

      The film's depiction of motherhood is notably specific—not because it offers grand insights, but because it highlights nuances often overlooked in other films. The awkward remarks from family members, the disruption of routine, the disconcerting sensation of becoming a secondary character in your own life. Whether one has experienced parenthood or not, many can relate to the gradual loss of self-identity.

      Conversely, the aspects surrounding Charlotte are less fully developed. This may stem from the film's attempt to address her from various perspectives without fully committing to one. At different times, she seems tied to feelings of grief, guilt, memory, and psychological breakdown. Each of these themes is intriguing individually, but together, they sometimes cause the narrative to diverge.

      However, uncertainty is inherent in the film’s structure, as Cinq-Mars rarely provides straightforward answers. Even as events grow more distressing, there is typically enough uncertainty clouding the narrative to make viewers question what they’ve witnessed, and importantly, to place themselves in Pénélope’s shoes.

      Visually, Nesting carries a certain potency—not in an ostentatious way, but through moments where specific images drift unexpectedly into scenes and linger. Some flashbacks notably evoke a blend of nostalgia, regret, and the unsettling acknowledgment that life continues to progress, regardless of one's readiness.

      Cinq-Mars could have exercised slightly more restraint in certain areas. The sound design, in particular, sometimes feels overly eager to emphasize Pénélope's overwhelming situation. There were instances when I wished the film would place more trust in Perreault’s performance, as she effectively communicates everything necessary.

      Nonetheless, this doesn’t diminish the film's overall impact. While the mysterious, horror elements are effective, what resonated most with me was the portrayal of someone desperately striving to retain her identity while everyone else clamored for a piece of her. This is where Nesting feels most authentic and delivers its sharpest insights. It’s poignant, at times challenging to witness, but undeniably powerful.

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

      Tom Atkinson