Review: Jennifer Lawrence Delivers Fiery Performance in Cataclysmic ‘Die My Love’
Jennifer Lawrence captivates as she portrays a woman unraveling under the weight of postpartum depression in Lynne Ramsay’s intense comedy-drama. The story follows Grace, a new mother and blocked writer, whose mood swings and erratic actions grow increasingly alarming.
Characters and Setting
Grace’s transformation is observed by Pam (Sissy Spacek), her soon-to-be mother-in-law, who recognizes the signs of postpartum depression. Pam insists everyone in Grace’s situation "goes loopy," though even she doesn’t fully grasp the turbulent emotions Grace endures.
- Grace moves with her hard-drinking boyfriend Jackson (Robert Pattinson) and their newborn into a dilapidated rural house.
- The house, where Jackson’s uncle once died by suicide, becomes a purgatory-like place filled with unsettling elements like flies and a noisy puppy Jackson brings home.
Psychological Descent
In this eerie environment, Grace’s behavior grows more bizarre—crawling on all fours and brandishing sharp kitchen knives. She also dreams about an attractive neighbor (LaKeith Stanfield) on a motorcycle, symbolizing her fractured mental state.
“Everybody in her position goes loopy,” says Pam, highlighting the universal yet misunderstood experience of postpartum depression.
Thematic Context
The film is a dark exploration of a woman’s deteriorating mental health, reflecting a longstanding cinematic interest in depicting women on the brink of emotional collapse.
Author's summary: Jennifer Lawrence delivers a powerful, haunting role in a film that deeply explores postpartum depression through unsettling imagery and emotional intensity.