A Banquet takes on a number of issues that lead to different types of horror. Holly (Sienna Guillory) is a widowed mother whose teenage daughter Betsey (Jessica Alexander) suddenly stops eating. Her reason? Her body is no longer her own and belongs to a higher power. Caught between love, fear, and her faith, Holly faces difficult decisions that test her relationship with her daughter.
The terror found in eating disorders has be seen more in movies in recent years. More often than not, the victims in these films have been female. (That being said, female victims are nothing new to horror.) A Banquet takes things a step further by adding a mother-daughter dynamic to the conflict. Director Ruth Paxton has created a film that is told from the feminine perspective.
It is refreshing to see a film that is so intrinsically tied to womanhood. From the relationship between Holly and Betsey to the grotesque body horror, A Banquet has a feel that is all its own. It has the mood and atmosphere of a traditional genre film, wrapped in a different tone. This fresh take comes with noticeable flaws. A Banquet is very much a case of style over substance. At times, it feels like it is flowing between a series of beautiful set pieces as opposed to telling an actual story. The characters are well written, but the plot is barely existent.
Nonetheless, the world building is so deep and the cinematography so lush that audiences will be unable to look away. The film is downright disgusting at times and the themes of grief and family tie everything together nicely. It may not follow traditional storytelling, but emotion flows through it. A Banquet may be lacking structure, but it is a worthwhile watch.
A Banquet comes to select theaters, digital, and VOD February 18
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