Inedia (2024) by Liz Cairns: Hunger for Control
- dailyentertainment95
- Aug 5
- 5 min read
Short Summary: A Modern Fable of Fasting Inedia: When Fasting Becomes a Lifestyle The film follows Leyla, a young woman who becomes a devoted follower of a social media influencer promoting inedia, the belief that one can live without food. As Leyla's physical and mental state deteriorates, the line between her digital obsession and her deteriorating reality blurs. The movie is a chilling exploration of self-starvation, online community, and the human desire for control in a world that feels increasingly out of it.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8971448/
About movie: https://experimentalforest.ca/Inedia-2
Link to watch: https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0QX7VHBEB8U346PEYYC8O6IN0C/ref=dvm_src_ret_ca_xx_s (Canada)
Detailed Summary: The Lure of Living on Air
The Follower: The story centers on Leyla, a young woman who discovers the concept of inedia, also known as breatharianism, through a popular influencer named Serena. Leyla's attraction to the idea of living without food quickly turns into an all-consuming obsession.
A Digital Cult: Leyla becomes part of an online community of "iners," a group of people who are following Serena’s teachings. This digital community provides her with a sense of belonging and validation, reinforcing her decision to stop eating.
The Unraveling: As Leyla's fast progresses, her perception of reality begins to fracture. She experiences strange visions, hallucinations, and a complete breakdown of her physical and mental health. Her body becomes the battleground for her desperate need for control.
A Twisted Romance: The narrative also introduces a strange, almost parasitic relationship between Leyla and a male acquaintance, adding another layer of psychological complexity and blurring the lines between nurturing and exploitation.
Director's Vision: Deconstructing Digital Deception Liz Cairns's vision is to use the concept of inedia as a powerful metaphor for our modern anxieties and the performative nature of online life. She aims to explore the psychology behind self-starvation and the "cult-like" communities that form around it on the internet. Cairns's goal is to create a disorienting, visceral experience that makes the audience feel Leyla's physical and psychological unraveling. The film, which she describes as a "body horror" and "psychological thriller," is a cautionary tale about the dangers of online gurus and the seductive promise of a perfect, controllable self.
Themes: Body Horror, Digital Cults, and Disordered Reality
Psychological Body Horror: The film uses Leyla's self-starvation to explore the horror of the body turning against itself, a modern form of body horror that is psychological rather than monstrous.
The Digital Community and Cults: The film examines how online communities can become echo chambers and digital cults, with influencers acting as charismatic leaders and followers becoming dangerously devoted.
The Illusion of Control: A central theme is the search for ultimate control over one's life and body. Leyla's journey with inedia is a desperate attempt to gain agency, which ultimately leads to a loss of all control.
Disordered Eating and Modern Anxieties: The film touches on the very real issue of disordered eating and the pressures of modern society, particularly the performance of an idealized self on social media.
Key Success Factors: A Disturbing Premise and Haunting Atmosphere
Unique and Disturbing Concept: The film’s premise of inedia as a social media trend is highly original and immediately unsettling, making it stand out from typical psychological thrillers.
Visceral and Atmospheric Filmmaking: Liz Cairns's direction is lauded for its ability to create a deeply unsettling and claustrophobic atmosphere. The film's use of visual language effectively conveys Leyla's deteriorating mental state.
Strong Central Performance: The film's success hinges on a powerful and physically demanding lead performance by Emma Hunter, who convincingly portrays the character's descent into a self-imposed psychological and physical nightmare.
Timely Social Commentary: The film's themes are incredibly relevant to contemporary issues surrounding social media, online influencers, and the mental health crises tied to body image and control.
Awards and Nominations: A Festival Buzz Inedia has received significant recognition on the film festival circuit, particularly for its premiere at the Slamdance Film Festival in 2024. While it may not have won a major award, its selection and positive reception at the festival are a notable achievement for an independent feature.
Critics Reception: A Polarizing but Unforgettable Experience
Screen Anarchy: Critics from Screen Anarchy described the film as a "visceral watch" and a "unique and deeply uncomfortable body horror film," praising its bold storytelling and thematic depth.
The Hollywood Reporter: A review from The Hollywood Reporter found the film's premise intriguing but noted its challenging and at times slow-burn pace, suggesting it is a film that will likely appeal to a specific audience interested in experimental and psychological cinema.
Overall Summary: Critical reception for Inedia is largely positive, with most critics acknowledging its unsettling power and unique approach to a psychological thriller. While some find the film's narrative structure difficult, there is a general consensus that it is a brave, thought-provoking, and deeply memorable film.
Reviews: A Hard-to-Watch but Necessary Film
Letterboxd: User reviews on Letterboxd highlight the film's effectiveness in creating a sense of dread and unease. Many describe it as a "haunting" and "unforgettable" film, with some noting that it's a difficult but essential watch for its commentary on body image and social media.
Overall Summary: Reviews from viewers and smaller publications confirm the film's polarizing nature. It is widely praised for its atmosphere and unflinching portrayal of its subject, but its difficult subject matter and slow-burn style mean it's not a film for everyone. Those who connect with its themes, however, find it to be a powerful and effective piece of psychological horror.
Why to watch this movie: A Deep Dive into a Modern-Day Horror
A Unique Psychological Experience: If you are a fan of psychological horror that gets under your skin rather than relying on jump scares, this film's claustrophobic and visceral atmosphere is a compelling reason to watch.
Social Commentary: It is a deeply relevant film that explores the dark side of influencer culture, body image issues, and the seductive power of online communities.
Powerful Female Filmmaking: It's an excellent example of a female director, Liz Cairns, tackling a difficult and sensitive topic with a unique and confident vision.
A Chilling Lead Performance: The central performance by Emma Hunter is a tour-de-force that is both physically and emotionally draining, and a must-see for anyone who appreciates dedicated acting.
What Movie Trend film is following: A24-Style Psychological Horror Inedia follows the contemporary movie trend of elevated psychological and body horror, often associated with studios like A24. These films prioritize atmosphere, psychological terror, and deep-seated societal anxieties over traditional horror tropes, and often feature complex, mentally-unstable protagonists.
What Big Social Trend is following: The Dark Side of Wellness and Social Media The film directly addresses the social trend of the "wellness" industry's dark side, particularly the proliferation of online gurus and the dangerous advice they dispense. It also explores the increasing prevalence of disordered eating and body dysmorphia fueled by the unrealistic standards and performative nature of social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Final Verdict: A Haunting and Timely Warning Inedia is a haunting, timely, and unforgettable psychological horror that uses a shocking premise to dissect the anxieties of modern life. Liz Cairns's directorial debut is a brave and visceral piece of filmmaking that serves as both a powerful character study and a chilling cautionary tale about the dangers of seeking perfection in a digital world. It's a challenging but deeply rewarding watch for anyone interested in films that push the boundaries of psychological terror.
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