Director: Mercedes Bryce Morgan
Writer: Leah Saint Marie
Cast: Morgan Skylar, Kat Foster, Myko Olivier, Danilo Crovetti, Keith Powell, Laura Coover
Year: 2022
Min: 94
Millicent (Morgan Skylar) is a pretty but disturbed babysitter, who is doing a thesis on kids with severe allergies. This works perfectly with her taking on a sitting gig for Johnny (Danilo Corvetti) a mute, little boy who is allergic to every fucking thing under the sun and then some. To protect himself he, spends all his time dressed like an astronaut. His parents, as good looking as they maybe, aren't exactly shining examples of normality. But, then neither is Johnny, who on top of everything else, also has a violent streak, especially when it comes to his mother (Kat Foster), as well as having dead rabbits in the backyard. Meanwhile, Millicent, who is addicted to LSD, develops a thing a for the hubby (Myko Olivier), causing her sexualilty to awaken. She also wishes to be mommy to little Johnny. They both begin to form a bond, that doesn't exactly sit well with his mom, to say the very least.
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Spoonful of Sugar is a psychological horror film from director Mercedes Bryce Morgan. It's a complicated character and familial study; that takes a look at the dark side of humanity and mental illness. It's also a messed up flick, in the best possible way. One that can be seen like a more morally ambiguous, complex, and, at times, more sexualizied version of The Hand that Rocks the Cradle. But, even this is oversimplifying it. For you see the film appears to be one thing, only to be oh so much more as it advances.
Morgan does a phenomenal job with her directing. She sets up the mood pretty much from the get-go. The movie contains shots that are beautifully framed. This is achieved through the use of the lighting, which is has a stunning use of brightness and shadow. I also love the way she is able to bring to life the LSD inspired hallucinations in ways that are beautiful, nightmarish, and uncomfortable.
The movie also, thanks to the excellent script from Leah Saint Marie, managed to have me intrigued very early on. The flick is slow moving but remains fascinating, throughout its runtime. It even managed to make think "What the fuck?!", which is no mean feat. It's a gloriously unnerving time that leads to a goddamn amazing climax. And, then there is that ending, which to put it quite simply is fucking great!
And, Jesus Christ are the characters in this film ever fucked up! They showcase a world of broken, and in some cases twisted, minds and personalities. Even when you think this one is normal, nope no such thing. These characters are brought to life thanks to some truly excellent acting from the entire cast.
At its core, though, is Morgan Saylor's Millicent. She gives what is an early candidate for breakout performance of the year. One feels sympathy, even concern for her, well until we don't. She has a great way of going from sweet to sexy to intimidating. All of which Saylor effortlessly pulls off and brings to life. As the mother of Johnny, Rebecca, the absolutely gorgeous Kat Foster, also gives an amazing performance. A put upon and unstable mom and wife, Rebecca is a frustrated woman. I may not like her as a character, but there are moments I can understand her. All while, I'm still thinking "She is so fucked up!", which is honestly in keeping with many of this film's themes.
Spoonful of Sugar is lead by some truly spectacular acting, especially from its two female leads. In fact, Saylor gives the kind of star making performance that is award worthy. The flick looks gorgeous thanks to exceptional filmmaking and directing. Seemingly being one thing, only to become something, it has a rich and complex script. It's a film that is an alternately disturbing, haunting, sexy, and above all engrossing time. The absolutely smashing climax and powerful ending help to elevate the quality even higher. It is a complex and messed up indie movie that needs to be seen, which you will be able to do when it begins to streaming exclusively on Shudder on March 2, 2023.
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