Midori Francis Shines in ‘Saccharine’: A Gripping Look at Body Horror in Today’s Ozempic Culture at Sundance Film Festival
With a haunting exploration of self-image and a protagonist grappling with profound self-esteem issues, Saccharine presents a challenging narrative for audiences to digest.
Six years after her debut feature, Relic (2020), premiered at Sundance, writer and director Natalie Erika James returns to the festival for its final installment in Park City with a new body horror film that delves into themes of dysmorphia, eating disorders, and contemporary diet trends.
In Saccharine, medical student Hana (Midori Francis) becomes obsessed with her studies and achieving her target weight. A chance encounter with a high school friend, who has undergone a significant weight loss transformation through a mysterious new pill known as The Grey, complicates her journey.
Hana takes an unconventional approach by reverse-engineering the pill and discovers that its primary ingredient consists of human ashes. Initially horrified, she proceeds to incinerate a piece of her group’s overweight cadaver, referred to as ‘Big Bertha’, in order to synthesize her own version of The Grey.
Although Hana experiences rapid results, shedding her excess weight during a workout montage with her crush, she ultimately confronts a chilling reality as the ghost of Big Bertha begins haunting her with an insatiable hunger.
Midori Francis delivers a compelling performance, though her ability to shine is somewhat hindered by the fatsuit she wears for a substantial portion of the film.
The themes of body dysmorphia serve as the core of the body horror elements throughout the narrative, with mukbang ASMR scenes accentuating the gravity of Hana’s binge eating disorder. The stakes escalate as the film progresses, with mental health issues merely setting the stage for more grotesque moments devised by James.
Though rich in timely themes, the film occasionally evokes a medley of influences, including The Substance (2024), Raw (2016), the 2001 Smallville episode ‘Craving’, and even the 2019 Bob’s Burgers episode ‘Pig Trouble in Little Tina’. This blend of references raises questions about originality, echoing the adage that great artists steal.
At nearly two hours, Saccharine raises valid inquiries about the effectiveness of shortcuts in pursuit of results, a notable concern in today’s Ozempic era. However, a more concise approach could have enhanced its impact.
One particularly striking moment involves Hana performing surgery on herself amidst waste, a metaphor reflecting the film’s complex themes. James appears to be grappling with her emotional experiences, at times losing clarity in the process.
Producers for the film include Natalie Erika James, Anna McLeish, and Sarah Shaw.
Title: Saccharine
Festival: Sundance (Midnight)
Director-screenwriter: Natalie Erika James
Cast: Midori Francis, Danielle Macdonald, and Madeleine Madden
Running time: 1 hr 52 min
