Author: Peg Aloi

The film’s knife-edge balance of horror and reality is effectively rendered by filmmaker Bess Wohl, boldly exposing the universal and primal fear that accompanies giving birth, and the general lack of support and understanding faced by new mothers. Jo’s eagerness to become a mother is abruptly undercut when she goes into labor and her experience of giving birth is portrayed as a painful, confusing, bloody fever dream. But Baby Ruby, when she arrives, is beautiful and perfect. Her ears stick out a little, she has an incredibly expressive face and lovely pale blue eyes. She also cries. A lot.