Christine (Eva Green) is a children’s fashion designer who lives in a luxurious home with her husband, Felix (Mark Strong), and their daughter, nicknamed Bobs (Billie Gadsdon). As Christine prepares for work one morning, she feels the pressure mounting as she readies to launch a new clothing season featuring young models. Working at a frantic pace, Christine is interrupted by a phone call. The news on the other end is unclear, but she is instantly disheartened and devastated by what she hears. At that exact same moment, a dog with a flesh-eating disease appears out of nowhere and shakes itself near Christine. As the dog shakes itself, ticks fall from its body, and one of them lands on Christine, biting her on the back of her neck.
As time passes, Christine struggles with a mysterious illness, and the bite on the back of her neck remains. Although she continues to battle with health issues, she perseveres, taking various pills and medications to get through the day and hoping to revive her career with a new children’s fashion line. One day, there is a knock at the door, and standing on the other side is Diana (Chai Fonacier), who claims that Christine hired her as a caregiver and housekeeper due to her challenges. Although Christine doesn’t remember employing her, given her health issues, it makes sense to accept help. Thus, she allows Diana to work in her home.
As Diana cooks, cleans, and takes care of things around the house, she offers to assist with Christine’s illness, claiming she can help her heal. Using unknown ingredients, Diana begins conducting various sessions that seem to restore Christine’s strength and focus. However, Christine’s husband, Felix, remains suspicious, believing that something isn’t quite right and that Diana may have ulterior motives for being there. Is Diana really who she claims to be, and does she have a hidden agenda? Can Christine find freedom from the sickness that is plaguing her?
Nocebo is a suspenseful horror film filled with nail-biting tension throughout. To my surprise, it is a strong thriller, introducing intriguing mysteries early in the story, including a significant phone call that Christine receives. The film was directed by Lorcan Finnegan, known for his previous works, including Vivarium (2019), Without Name (2016), and the upcoming film The Surfer (2024), which stars Nicolas Cage.
I love how this film began. It is filled with mystery and features many creepy, unexplained moments, especially when the dog interacts with Christine early in the movie. What does this dog signify? What sickness has affected Christine? These are just a few of the questions viewers will ponder in the film’s first act. While the film presents a compelling mystery at the start, I found that I could predict the final reveals by the time it reached its halfway mark. Nonetheless, even though the outcome was somewhat predictable, watching everything come together and unfold still provided a rewarding experience for the viewer.
In terms of horror, this film was much more successful. I found myself on the edge of my seat during several moments, questioning why I was so invested in the characters’ struggles. Even something as simple as Christine trying to rest with her sleep apnea device felt claustrophobic. Among the lead performances, I felt that Eva Green delivered an outstanding portrayal of a woman trapped in what feels like a personal hell. She juggles her efforts to get her work life back on track while also battling illness and ongoing discomfort, making it clear that her character is enduring a painful existence and is on the brink of desperation for a cure. Chai Fonacier’s portrayal of Diana was also impressive, and I appreciated her mysterious mannerisms throughout the production. Mark Strong is enjoyable as always, but there’s nothing new for him in this role.
Overall, Nocebo showcases a variety of impressive indie elements. The film is highly creepy and unsettling, maintaining an uncomfortable and tense atmosphere even when there’s no apparent reason for it. The nail-biting tension, along with the compelling mysteries introduced early on, effectively hook the audience, creating a strong desire to understand what is happening. The leading performances, particularly from Eva Green, are also noteworthy. Although the first act lays a strong foundation, the reveals later in the film feel predictable and obvious. Nevertheless, the excitement of watching it all unfold, especially during the brutal climax, makes it worthwhile. This film is a must-see for horror enthusiasts!
Nocebo (2022) is available on Blu-ray & DVD, thanks to Via Vision Entertainment!
6.4/10
Published: 7th April 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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