Relic Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Three generations of women live in a haunted house where mold is actually a metaphor for dementia and family dysfunction, but also maybe just mold.

🍿 Relic: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Edna’s Disappearance and Return

When elderly Edna goes missing, her daughter Kay and granddaughter Sam travel to her remote home. The house is in disarray, covered in post-it notes and showing signs of neglect, suggesting Edna’s declining mental state. They find the house locked from the inside and a strange black mold on the walls, foreshadowing the unsettling events to come. A search party is formed, but Edna reappears just as mysteriously as she vanished.

Erratic Behavior and Disturbing Discoveries

After Edna’s return, her behavior becomes increasingly erratic, alternating between moments of lucidity and frightening outbursts. Kay and Sam struggle to understand what’s happening as they witness Edna’s mental state deteriorate. They discover strange occurrences within the house, including unexplained noises and the growing presence of the black mold, hinting at a deeper, more sinister force at play.

The Descent into Madness

Sam discovers a hidden passageway within the house, leading her into a disorienting maze-like structure that mirrors Edna’s fractured mind. Edna’s physical and mental condition continues to decline rapidly. She starts destroying family photos and her body shows signs of decay. Kay and Sam are forced to confront the horrifying reality of Edna’s condition and the insidious presence that seems to be consuming her.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Edna (Robyn Nevin): An elderly matriarch suffering from dementia, whose decaying mind manifests as a malevolent presence in her home.
• Kay (Emily Mortimer): Edna’s daughter, grappling with the decision of how to care for her mother while confronting her own fears and familial legacy.
• Sam (Bella Heathcote): Kay’s daughter and Edna’s granddaughter, who initially embraces her grandmother’s return but becomes increasingly disturbed by the strange happenings.
• Constable Mike Adler (Steve Rodgers): A local constable involved in the search for Edna, representing an outside perspective on the family’s crisis.
• Jamie (Chris Bunton): A young neighbor with a past encounter with Edna’s deteriorating mental state, symbolizing the impact of her condition on the community.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Edna: “It’s nothing.” – Edna sleepwalks towards the front door muttering this when Kay finds her. It’s unsettling and suggests a denial of the horrors unfolding.
• Edna: “It’ll be safer there.” – Edna says this when trying to bury the family photo album, highlighting her distorted perception of reality and fear of losing her memories.
• Edna: “I am loved.” – Written on a post-it note, it is the last thing Edna gestures to before Kay helps her shed the last of her skin. It’s a heart-wrenching reminder of her need for comfort despite her monstrous state.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3 million (estimated)
• Domestic Gross: $1,047,083
• Worldwide Gross: $2,902,552

💥 Relic Reviews

Personal Review

I went into ‘Relic’ expecting a standard haunted house movie, but what I got was so much more. The way it tackled dementia and family relationships was genuinely moving and incredibly unsettling. The ending… wow. It stayed with me for days. It’s not a fun horror film, it’s a thoughtful and disturbing one.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychological horror”
  • “Viewers interested in films about family dynamics”
  • “People who appreciate thought-provoking and metaphorical stories”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Depiction of dementia and mental decline”
  • “Disturbing imagery”
  • “Violence”
  • “Gore”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Relic burrows under the skin with its unsettling atmosphere and thoughtful, empathetic approach to difficult themes. It avoids jump scares in favor of a slow-burn dread.
• Variety: “A chilling and remarkably assured directorial debut from Natalie Erika James. ‘Relic’ utilizes horror tropes to explore the heartbreaking realities of aging and the burden of care.

Audience Reactions

The film’s slow burn and psychological horror elements were incredibly effective.: Viewers praised the film’s exploration of dementia and its impact on families.

Overall Consensus: A haunting and thought-provoking horror film that explores the themes of dementia, family, and loss with a slow-burn dread.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Natalie Erika James drew inspiration from her own experiences with her grandmother’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease.”
• “The film was shot in a real, old house in rural Australia, which added to the authenticity and eerie atmosphere.”
• “The black mold growing throughout the house is a visual representation of the disease consuming Edna’s mind and body.”
• “The confusing, maze-like structure Sam navigates symbolizes the disorienting experience of dementia.”

🖥️ How to Watch Relic?

Relic is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it on demand via Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for rental or purchase options. Availability may vary depending on your region. Consider using affiliate links to direct viewers to these platforms for purchase or rental.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Relic, you might like these similar films:

• The Babadook (2014): Both films use a monster as a metaphor for deep-seated psychological trauma and family struggles.
• Hereditary (2018): A horror film exploring intergenerational trauma and its devastating impact on a family, creating a similar sense of dread.
• The Father (2020): A drama that powerfully depicts the experience of dementia from the perspective of the person suffering from it, focusing on confusion and disorientation.

🛒 Relic Related Products

• Relic (Blu-ray): Own the physical copy of this haunting film with bonus features. Perfect for horror collectors and fans of indie cinema.
• The Complete Guide to Dementia for Caregivers: Expert Advice for Helping Loved Ones: A comprehensive guide to understanding and managing dementia, offering practical advice and emotional support for caregivers.
• Mold Remover Spray: Powerful mold and mildew stain remover. Safe for use on various surfaces, helps maintain a healthy home environment.

🎧 Soundtrack

Relic features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Relic (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)” – performed by Brian Reitzell

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Relic – Movie Review

Want to know if ‘Relic’ is worth your time? Chris Stuckmann gives a really insightful review that helped me see the movie in a totally new light, totally check it out!

THE RELIC (The Kothoga Chimeric Evolution & Ending) EXPLAINED

Ever wondered about the monster in ‘The Relic’ (1997)? This video breaks down the ending and the creature’s origins, its pretty interesting!

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