Esme, My Love
Theatrical Poster
Directed byCory Choy
Written byLaura Allen
Cory Choy
Produced byCory Choy
StarringAudrey Grace Marshall
Stacey Weckstein
CinematographyFletcher Wolfe
Edited byEmrys Eller
Ellie Gravitte
Music byStephanie Griffin
Charlottle Littlehales
Distributed byTerror Films
Release date
  • June 2, 2023 (2023-06-02) (United States)
Running time
104 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Esme, My Love is a 2022 American psychological horror film co-written, produced, and directed by Cory Choy.[1][2] The film delves into the complexities of a mother-daughter relationship strained by the specter of a terminal illness and a dark family secret. Considering its shoestring budget, Esme, My Love was a success, getting screened at a variety of film festivals, including Maryland Film Festival, Richmond International Film Festival, and Queens World Film Festival.[3][4][5]

Synopsis

Esme, My Love set in the old DeLarm campground and dairy farm in Hague, New York, is a psychological thriller that begins as a slow-burn drama. The film follows Hannah and her daughter Esme, in whom Hannah sees the signs of a terminal illness, as they embark on a camping trip to an abandoned house in the woods. Despite initial reluctance, Esme joins her mother who obsessively digs in the soil and frequently mentions a mysterious “Emily”. After consuming preserved peaches from the house, they experience adverse effects and their journey takes a dark turn. Hannah's increasingly strange behavior and a discovered journal that eerily mirrors their present situation lead to disconcerting manifestations and signs of violence. This quiet story about parenting and memory spirals into an unpredictable exploration of grief and loss.

Cast

  • Audrey Grace Marshall as Esme
  • Stacey Weckstein as Hannah

Release

The distributor, Terror Films, released the film in the United States on VOD on June 2, 2023.[6][7]

Critical reception

Esme, My Love positive critical reception. On Rotten Tomatoes the film has a 64% approval rating, based on 14 reviews with an average rating of 6.2/10.[8]

Josiah Teal of Film Threat wrote that Esme, My Love subverts expectations and "features strong performances that (...) bring complex emotions to life." While Teal described the film's conclusion as "abrupt and seem[ing] uneven with the genres at play," he termed it overall a "solid feat in filmmaking".[2]

The Los Angeles Times's Noel Murray noted that the "intentionally opaque" premise is not the film's main focus, but instead serves "as a foundation for a series of beautifully shot vignettes".[1] FilmInk's Annette Basile wrote that while the film was "beautifully shot and well acted", it lacked suspense and was too repetitive.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 Murray, Noel (June 2, 2023). "Review: The adventures of young LeBron James prove stubbornly undramatic in 'Shooting Stars'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Review by Josiah Teal". Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Film Guide". Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Watch Esme My Love for Free This Friday on Kings of Horror's YouTube Channel". Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Film Screening and Schedule". Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Film page". Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Watch Esme My Love for Free This Friday on Kings of Horror's YouTube Channel". Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Esme, My Love" – via www.rottentomatoes.com.
  9. ↑ Basile, Annette (June 2, 2023). "Esme, My Love". FilmInk. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
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