Birth/Rebirth is a 2023 American psychological horror film directed by Laura Moss and written by Moss and Brendan J. O’Brien. It is inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and stars Marin Ireland, Judy Reyes, A.J. Lister, Breeda Wool and LaChanze1. The film tells the story of a morgue technician who successfully reanimates the body of a little girl, but to keep her alive, she needs to harvest biological materials from pregnant women. When the girl’s mother, a nurse, discovers her baby alive, they enter into a deal that forces them both down a dark path of no return.
The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 20, 2023 and was released in limited theaters by IFC Films on August 18, 2023. It received positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances of Ireland and Reyes, the direction of Moss, and the originality of the concept. The film has a 77% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 52 reviews, with an average rating of 6.8/10. The website’s critics consensus reads: “Birth/Rebirth is a chilling and provocative exploration of motherhood, mortality, and morality, anchored by two powerful performances from Marin Ireland and Judy Reyes.”
My personal review of the film is that it is a well-crafted and disturbing horror film that does not shy away from showing the gruesome consequences of playing God. The film creates a tense and claustrophobic atmosphere that keeps the audience on edge throughout. The film also raises interesting ethical questions about the value of life and the limits of science. The film is not for the faint of heart, but for those who enjoy a smart and scary horror film, Birth/Rebirth is a must-see. I would give it a rating of 8/10.
