Raging Grace (2023) Horror Movie Review
Joy, played by Max Eigenmann, represents the millions of domestic workers globally. Some employers don't pay much attention to her, while others closely monitor her every action. Joy is working hard to get through each day, secretly saving money for bigger aspirations that her employers may not even imagine: stability, safety, a neglected career she dreams of reviving, and a home for her and her daughter Grace (played by Jaeden Paige Boadilla). In a desperate attempt to secure this future, she's saving up to pay a fixer a large sum for papers to stay in the country. With a looming deadline, she takes an unusual job in a mansion, where she can live and keep her daughter hidden from her employer's sight.
%20Horror%20Movie.jpg "Raging Grace (2023) Horror Movie")
In his first feature film, writer and director Paris Zarcilla showcases himself as a skillful storyteller. He meticulously unfolds a suspenseful story with a horror twist, revealing Joy's struggles, establishing Grace's rebellious phase, and drawing us into their problems. The plot takes an unexpected turn with what seems like divine intervention, which turns out to be too good to be true. The scares include nightmarish sequences, tense getaways, and uncomfortable exchanges between Joy and her employer Katherine (played by Leanne Best) — the kind that makes you cringe just by overhearing them.
The cinematographer, Joel Honeywell, adds to the movie's atmosphere, especially in the main setting, an old mansion. The place seems like a trap, with furniture covered in sheets and everything in disarray until Joy arrives. Through careful lighting, costumes, and design, Joy's life looks dull until she enters the house, but it's still not welcoming. Every room has a suffocating, unwelcoming feel, and every interaction with Katherine feels like a test for Joy. All of these efforts make the audience feel uneasy, always expecting the next surprise. "Raging Grace" is a true thriller.
The film revolves around Joy, Grace, Katherine, and Mr. Garrett (played by David Hayman), Katherine's great uncle. The shifting loyalties among them heighten the suspense. Just when you think you understand their dynamics, new information or a change challenges your perception of these characters. Joy and Grace, Max Eigenmann, and Jaeden Paige Boadilla deliver complex performances, carrying the weight of their characters' pasts without revealing their pain until later in the movie. It's a powerful portrayal of a mother-daughter duo facing the world, including the oblivious and prejudiced employers who can't see their humanity.
Zarcilla skillfully connects the dots in the movie, demonstrating how dehumanization leads to real-life cruelty, whether through physical attacks or hurtful stereotypes about Filipinos. Some people feel entitled to mistreat Joy, subjecting her to sexual harassment or worse, under the excuse that they benevolently hired her. The movie challenges this unjust status quo. As Joy puts it, they don't need help; it's the employers who need the assistance of domestic workers.
Thankfully, the story goes beyond depicting ongoing colonizer violence. Zarcilla takes time to celebrate Filipino culture and its resilience through Joy and Grace's narrative. Tagalog is spoken throughout the film, showcasing the characters' bilingual fluency. There's a moment where Joy, outside of her work environment, shares a happy moment with Grace, surrounded by music and traditional dance, bringing brightness to their lives. This visual representation reclaims the humanity denied by their employers, celebrates the culture they were told to conceal, and highlights the warmth of a thriving community often overlooked by many.