Written and directed by Frank A. Cappello, The Womb certainly has a lot on its mind. The psychological thriller is partly a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and tackles themes of parenthood, grief, love, trust, and trauma. It does all this while juggling two parallel storylines.
Plot A is about Sami (Cami Varela), the only person left in her neighborhood. She’s still in her home, awaiting the return of her family. However, due to a monstrous entity, the reason her neighbors are gone, they will most likely never come back. Still, Sami keeps hope, especially when passersby stop in for a warm place to rest for a day or two. However, to stop the deadly force, the military gets involved, dashing Sami’s hopes to see her family again.
The other story is about young Sami (Hannah Zamora). She’s gravely ill and slowly losing her hearing. Her father is very worried for her but tries his best to keep the child’s spirits up. Unfortunately, the loss of her dog is not helping matters. The film intercuts these two threads to paint a complete picture of Sami and explain what she’s genuinely waiting for and what the evil being needs from her.
“…explain what she’s genuinely waiting for and what the evil being needs from her.”
The Womb is a beautiful picture. Cappello knows what will maximize each scene’s point visually. Sami being stuck down a corridor of fluttering plastic emphasizes loneliness. The swirling energy of the menacing force is so massive it is daunting, seemingly impossible to beat. When Sami hosts a fellow survivor, their dinner is staged to maximize the awkwardness they both feel.
Varela is stunning as the determined, family-first-minded protagonist. Her stubbornness makes complete sense, while the actor keeps the character’s humanity at the forefront. When confronting the soldiers trying to get her to leave, she seems less unreasonable and more steadfast. Zamora is just as good as the decades-younger version of the character. Her excitement over going to get a few new things is authentic. Her confusion is palpable when talking about her dog and whether it was real or not.
But the film ends most ambiguously. So much so that its ultimate point is unclear and renders a lot of what just happened moot, at best. It can be read in a few different ways, making viewers question Cappello’s intent in telling this story. Admittedly, the mystery could reward a rewatch or two, which could fill in previously missed points. Still, the strength of the visuals and the leads carry The Womb to engaging territory. Flawed but interesting best sums up this thriller.
For more information, visit the official The Womb site.
"…flawed but interesting..."
After viewing The Womb at the premiere at the Chinese Theatre, I find this review to be partly flawed and missing a few key concepts about the themes. For instance, when Sami retreats down the plastic tunnel, this is the equivalent of her retreating to her safe space or her “Psychological Womb.” The metaphor of the mind as a womb is a provocative one that reveals key truths about the human psyche. On one hand, our inner mental space provides comfort and sanctuary, insulating us from external pressures. Within the womb of our mind, we cultivate our individual identity and ideals.
From Constantine to Quarantine: The Birth of a New Psychological Thriller “The Womb”
https://www.garrett-thierry.com/post/from-constantine-to-quarantine-the-birth-of-a-new-psychological-thriller-the-womb