Die My Love: A Morbid Comedy on Madness
Starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, director Lynne Ramsay’s latest film is often described as a drama about postpartum depression. However, film critic Sean Burns points out it is more of a dark comedy highlighting how ordinary life can push anyone to the edge of sanity.
“We all go a little loopy the first year,” a kindly Sissy Spacek tells Jennifer Lawrence’s struggling young mother in Die My Love.
This understatement contrasts with the intense depiction of blood, fire, and swirling psychosis in Ramsay’s unsettling and humorously twisted film, exploring mad love and mental illness. Ramsay’s movies often feel like fugue states, diving deep into fractured psyches.
The Glaswegian director uses an intimate approach to portray psychological breakdowns. She immerses viewers in the disturbed mindsets of her characters, such as Samantha Morton’s grief-stricken girlfriend in Morvern Callar (2002) or Joaquin Phoenix’s PTSD-afflicted vigilante in You Were Never Really Here (2018).
Plot and Themes
Based loosely on Ariana Harwicz’s 2012 novel, Die My Love revolves around Grace and Jackson, played by Lawrence and Pattinson—a cool, hard-partying couple who relocate from New York City to a dilapidated country house once owned by Jackson’s uncle.
Though marketed as a serious film about postpartum depression, it instead offers a grimly funny reflection on how mundane existence can unhinge the mind.
Director's Style
- Portrays mental illness from the inside out
- Focuses on psychological unraveling and fragmented consciousness
- Combines unsettling visuals with dark humor
Lynne Ramsay’s film continues her tradition of exploring complex emotional states through poetic, intense storytelling.
Author’s Summary
Die My Love blends dark comedy with psychological drama, offering a haunting look at how everyday struggles can spark mental breakdowns in an intense, poetic style.