Raspberry

A struggling artist grappling with a creative block and personal demons discovers a mysterious, enchanted raspberry that offers him inspiration and fleeting moments of joy. As he becomes increasingly reliant on the fruit's power, his life spirals into a surreal and dangerous obsession. He must confront his inner turmoil to escape the seductive trap before it consumes him entirely.

Raspberry garnered mixed to positive reviews, with critics often praising its unique premise and visual style, though some found its narrative pacing uneven. Performances were generally lauded, particularly the lead's portrayal of a character battling addiction and artistic struggle. The film's surreal elements and thematic depth resonated with many, while others felt it leaned too heavily into ambiguity.

• Visually striking with a compelling central performance.

• An intriguing, if occasionally muddled, exploration of addiction and art.

• The film's surrealism is both its strength and its weakness.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated Raspberry for its originality and thought-provoking themes, with many highlighting the strong acting and artistic direction. Some viewers found the plot less engaging than expected, and a portion felt the symbolic narrative could be too abstract, leading to confusion.

Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival (2018).

The distinctive, almost otherworldly glow of the titular raspberry was achieved through a combination of practical lighting effects and subtle CGI, with the filmmakers aiming for a look that was both alluring and subtly sinister.