Raging Grace (2023) - May You All Rage Gracefully - 9/10 (04/01/24)

Raging Grace is a British-Filipino movie that combines family drama, psychological thriller and mild horror elements coherently, excitedly and fluidly. Director Paris Zarcilla convinces with his first full length feature. Lead actress Maxine Eve Pimentel Eigenmann might offer the greatest performance of her career thus far.

The movie revolves around worried undocumented Filipina immigrant Joy who lives in abject poverty with her joyful daughter Grace. Joy starts working in an isolated mansion for a cold-hearted lady of prosperous background. She secretly makes her daughter Grace stay with her. Her most challenging task is to take care of an old family member with a serious medical condition that forces him to take medication that leaves him in a comatic state in his bed. When the lady of the mansion leaves for several days, Joy starts suspecting that the lady wants to kill the elderly man. She nurses him back to health as he soon regains consciousness. However, Joy soon starts to realize that the apparently grateful old man isn't as innocent as he claims to be and things are quickly spiraling out of control.

This film convinces on numerous levels. First and foremost, the story is particularly intriguing. The difficult lives of Joy and Grace are portrayed excellently in the exposition. Joy has to do some odd jobs and fights very hard to purchase illegal papers that might authorize her to stay in Great Britain. Grace is an adventurous and joyful child without a permanent home or any access to public education or friends of her own age. The rising action starts slowly as viewers are led to believe that the arrogant new employer might be a dangerous villain. The climax offers several twists and turns that will keep viewers on the edges of their seats. The falling action is quite intense as a series of dramatic events occur one after another. The resolution certainly leaves a lasting impression and offers food for discussion and thought.

The lead characters in this movie convince so much because their situations are fleshed out very well, because the hardship they face is unforgiving and because the actresses performing mother and daughter are particularly credible. The villains in the movie are certainly gloomy, mysterious and unpredictable. However, they are lacking a little bit of depth and have been created by the numbers. The movie's weakest point is the idea to portray illegal immigrants as heroines and rich locals as abusive villains. That approach is a little bit stereotypical and superficial.

Still, Raging Grace is a movie that deserves attention and acclaim. Its vibrant mixture of family drama, psychological thriller and mild horror makes for a unique combination. The acting performances are excellent. The story features dramatic twists and turns offering food for discussion and thought. The movie entertains from start to finish without any significant lengths. The film's only negative element is the stereotypical and superficial portrayal of its villains.