Shiva Baby

I've been really trying to come up with a clever reference to another stressful movie but so far the best I've been able to do is, "The 1917 of house parties," or "Cut Gems" if you get the reference.

Jews aren't raised with the idea of Hell since they have to go to gatherings with their extended families from time to time anyway.

Certainly not as provocative as it thinks it is -- and the handheld, Krisha/mother!-esque handheld 'intense' camera doesn't do much for the film's simple-minded visual -- but more of an 'uncomfortable funny' horror comedy about Millennials anxieties in a hostile environment -- suffocating family, non-stop talking old people, her secret life about to be exposed at any moment. Undeniably charming, yet kind of stuck on the same note from start to finish.

The decision to essentially set the entire film in a single day at one location helps with its claustrophobia inducing suspense. It's also well acted especially by the lead Rachel whose face and mannerisms serve as such a strong conduit for emotional turmoil. However, I found the actual plot to be mostly mundane with the score and lead doing all of the heavy lifting. There are too many illogical choices made for the sake of continuing the driving action and the plot devices lack creativity.

Absolutely unbearable for large stretches. I couldn't wait for the end and somehow that's a good thing.