A British fashion designer suffers from a mysterious illness that can only be treated by a shamanic Filipina nanny. Nocebo scores style points with good acting, disturbing imagery, and a political message about the consequences of economic exploitation. It unfortunately fails as a supernatural thriller due to a total lack of scares. The film broadcasts its intentions early in the first act. You quickly understand what's happening in the narrative. Then have to wait an arduous ninety-minutes for the characters to catch up. It's an uneven approach that saps the fright factor.
Eva Green stars as Christine, a vibrant and successful children's clothing designer. Mark Strong co-stars as Felix, her marketing consultant husband. They live in a palatial London home with their precocious daughter Bobs (Billie Gadsdon). Christine receives a tragic call while hosting an event. She sees a mangy, tick-covered dog behind a curtain. A tick burrows into her neck. Christine screams before realizing she's hallucinating.
Eight months later, Christine's health has changed dramatically. She suffers from memory loss, convulsions, and searing pain. Her doctors can't find any physical ailments. She continues to have threatening delusions. A confounded Felix believes everything is in her mind. A knock on the door heralds the arrival of Diana (Chai Fonacier).
Christine doesn't remember hiring a Filipina helper. Felix is upset he was never consulted. Diana makes herself useful cooking and cleaning but offers another service. She can help Christine with traditional folk medicine and spiritual guidance. Her efforts have an immediate impact. Christine is overjoyed by the relief, but Felix harbors deep suspicions. There's something sinister about Diana's motivations.
Nocebo's Structural Choices
Nocebo is defined as detrimental health due to psychological or psychosomatic factors. Christine carries a heavy burden, but there's more to her diagnosis. Flashbacks run parallel with Diana treating Christine's illness. Diana's backstory in the Philippines leads her to Christine's doorstep. This is where the film's structural choices causes problems. Diana's not a benevolent figure. Her showing up out of the blue with a healer's touch should ring alarms. Felix has serious doubts but inexplicably allows Diana's continued presence. There's never an attempt to vet or research her witchcraft methods. This is a weak horror trope where supposedly smart people make foolish choices.
Director Lorcan Finnegan and writer Garret Shanley, frequent collaborators (Vivarium, Without Name), employ a supernatural angle to address unsafe labor conditions in developing countries. This is the primary goal of the film. First world citizens enjoy cheaply made products cranked out in foreign sweatshops. The plight of abused workers means nothing when sporting natty clothing. Capitalism trumps humanism by ignoring the source of spoils. The filmmakers teach this lesson with a heavy hand.
Nocebo gives Green the latitude to explore her immense talent. She's built her career on portraying characters in turmoil. Christine swings from gorgeous businesswoman to wretched distress. Her shaking appendages, haunted eyes, and desperate countenance carry the film. You believe she's being torn apart by an insidious threat. I was bored by the obvious plot but impressed with Green's physical and emotional performance.
Nocebo is a production of XYZ Films, Film Development Council of the Philippines, Screen Ireland, Epic Media, and Shudder. It will be released theatrically on November 4th. Followed by a VOD premiere on November 22nd from RLJE Films.