This is a first. This movie is a first, and I'll be shocked if it's not a last. I have so much praise for their anti-ableism, that I trimmed it down to 1,100 words. This is going to be a two parter.
The protagonist of this movie is a young, female wheelchair user named Nica. To my surprise (and joy), the wheelchair is new, a modern style, and nice looking—it doesn’t even have push handles! Most horror movies would have the wheelchair be ugly and trashy, falling apart and completely impractical. The opening scene of the film is a mailman making a delivery. He recognises Nica but not because of her wheelchair! He then hits on her in a completely non-ableist way. When he leaves, the girl’s mother walks over. The girl is really excited and asks her mom if she should ask the guy out. The mom then says, “He was just being nice.” It’s made clear that the mother is referring to the fact that no one would be attracted to a disabled person, and that she’s a horrible person for thinking that.
As for the plot, the movie revolves around the supposed suicide of the mother, Sarah. Nica’s sister (plus her husband Ian, daughter, and nanny) comes by with a pastor despite the fact that Nica and Sarah had both left the church. The sister, Barb, insists that the pastor must be there as they have to prey for Sarah to be forgiven for killing herself. Thankfully, this is also shown to be horrific behaviour. The pastor, Father Frank, then goes on to say that he doesn’t judge but pity, and Nica responds by saying that she’s had enough pity. Nica then expresses that she blames herself, and Barb says, “She was supposed to be taking care of you.” Nica responds to this with a look of utter disgust.
Spliced into this scene is Barb’s daughter, Alice, going to the bathroom. It’s fully accessible, and there’s mobility equipment so that Nica can be independent. We are forced back to Barb trying to get Nica to move into “assisted living for the disabled” so that they can sell the house and be rich—she admits it. She tries to sell this idea the way you convince someone to move into a retirement home, completely invalidating Nica’s humanity. Barb tries to guilt trip Nica by going on and on about how poor their family has become… minutes after we meet their live in nanny, Jill, who is paid more than the dad. She then explicitly says that she thinks Nica can’t take care of herself. A moment later, Barb offers to make everyone dinner, but Nica insists on doing it herself because she’s the host. Barb then, very sarcastically, says, “You’re going to make dinner? For six?” She does. With no issue and help only from a six year old. As everyone raves about it, the sister pointedly asks for the salt.
After dinner the power goes out, and Nica gets stuck in the lift while Barb is making out with Jill. She presses an emergency buzzer, and when the sister hears, she says, “See, with her it’s always something. She needs my help and then resents me for it.” Thankfully, Barb is portrayed as being a Grade A bitch—and rather hypocritical considering she practically refused to let Nica make dinner, which turned out to be embarrassingly successful. Jill then defends Nica saying that they shouldn’t sell the house. Barb responds with disgust: “She’s a mess. You can see that.” When she goes to help Nica, the elevator had started working already.
Part two will be up next Monday!
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