Review: Jennifer Lawrence Delivers Fiery Performance in Cataclysmic ‘Die My Love’
Jennifer Lawrence captivates as Grace, a woman unraveling under postpartum depression in Lynne Ramsay’s stark comedy-drama. Grace, an author facing a creative block, exhibits increasingly erratic and alarming behavior after the birth of her child.
Character Dynamics and Setting
Pam (Sissy Spacek), soon to be Grace’s mother-in-law, recognizes the signs of severe baby blues and tells Grace, “Everybody in her position goes loopy.” However, even Pam struggles to grasp the emotional turmoil Grace endures.
Grace moves to a rural house with her hard-drinking boyfriend Jackson (Robert Pattinson) and their newborn. The home, once the site of Jackson’s uncle’s suicide, becomes a grim backdrop as flies buzz and a yapping puppy appears, highlighting Grace’s descent into a purgatory-like state.
Grace’s Psychological Descent
- Grace exhibits bizarre behavior, such as crawling on all fours like a cat.
- She wields sharp cutlery, signaling her unstable state.
- Her fantasies include an enticing neighbor (LaKeith Stanfield) who rides a motorcycle.
Exploring a Troubled Mind
The film vividly portrays the tumultuous emotions of a woman on the edge of a nervous breakdown, a theme familiar yet powerfully executed here.
“Pam knows a bad case of the baby blues when she sees it.”
“It might be real, and it might not. Either way, it sets her on a precarious path toward some bizarre behavior.”
Lawrence’s performance anchors this dark exploration, making Grace's internal struggle both palpable and haunting.
Author’s Summary
The film delivers a raw, unsettling glimpse into postpartum depression, anchored by Jennifer Lawrence’s electrifying and deeply nuanced portrayal.