SPOONFUL OF SUGAR (2023)

 

Directed By: Mercedes Bryce Morgan Written By: Leah Saint Marie  Cinematography: Nick Matthews  Editor: Anjoum Agrama 

Cast: Morgan Saylor, Kat Foster, Myko Olivier, Danilo Crovetti, Keith Powell

Millicent, working on her thesis about children with severe allergies, is hired to babysit little Johnny, a sickly, mute child who suffers from every allergy under the sun. As she discovers Johnny's dark family secrets, things begin to become unhinged.

This film tries hard to be a psychological thriller and also be Avant-garde. That it is presented as a reality-based fairy tale. Where each character seems to have some kind of flaw that will be exposed.

The film turns sexual and erotic as that seems to be the only place left to turn to keep the story going and make it more of a carnal tale. Using sexuality as a power over certain characters or to control them.

It feels Like a tip-off when the wife of the couple tells her husband who seems to constantly have his shirt off or be in a t-Shirt that their new babysitter is a virgin. Even though He never asked 

Though as the film comes into its third act it tries to be surprising and almost as though even from the beginning you know there are going to be twist afoot. As the story goes along and we find out that not everything is what it seems. 

Though for a tale that introduces LSD early as a medication. You expect the film to be a little crazier. Rather than a container thriller. Where everyone seems a bit off. 

By the end the film feels like it could have easily either been shorter or been an hour long and part of some kind of horror anthology or horror television show… on cable.

It is also another role where actress Morgan Saylor is really good in the lead but feels a bit exploited on screen with nudity and sex that happens to her character. The role calls for it more as part of the story and in this film, her character seems to use it more to her advantage eventually. 

Though the filmmakers behind it are women. Makes it seem less exploitive and more fantasy erotic 

Grade: C-