Desperate Remedies

In 1950s New Zealand, Anna, a young woman recovering from a nervous breakdown, takes a job as a typist at a mysterious women's sanatorium. There, she becomes entangled in a passionate and dangerous affair with the sanatorium's enigmatic owner, Dorothea. As Anna delves deeper into the institution's secrets, she uncovers hidden truths about Dorothea's past and the unsettling nature of the sanatorium itself.

Desperate Remedies received a mixed to positive reception, with critics praising its atmospheric tension and visual style, but some found its plot convoluted. Audience reception was similarly varied, appreciating its bold themes and performances.

• Praised for its striking visual aesthetic and exploration of complex female relationships.
• Noted for its suspenseful atmosphere and intriguing, albeit sometimes opaque, narrative.
• Some critics found the pacing and plot resolution less compelling than its initial setup.

Google audience: Information on specific Google user reviews for this film is not readily available in public archives.

Screened at the Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section.

The film's distinctive visual style was heavily influenced by film noir and gothic melodrama, employing dramatic lighting and expressive camerawork to create a sense of unease and mystery.