A Banquet

Widowed mother, Betts, is struggling to keep her family together after her husband's death. Her teenage daughter, Isabelle, begins experiencing terrifying and increasingly visceral episodes of what appears to be supernatural possession. As Isabelle's condition worsens, Betts must confront the dark realities of her own past and the potential for a malevolent force to consume her daughter and her family.

A Banquet received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its atmospheric tension and lead performances, particularly from Sienna Guillory and Ruby Stokes. However, some found the pacing uneven and the narrative ambiguous, leading to a polarizing reception among audiences.

• Praised for its unsettling atmosphere and strong performances, especially from the female leads.

• Criticized for a slow burn and an ambiguous, at times confusing, narrative.

• The film is noted for its exploration of grief, mental health, and the supernatural through a feminist lens.

Google audience: Audience reviews are divided, with some appreciating the psychological horror and artistic direction, while others found the plot to be too slow and the ending unsatisfying.

Director Ruth Paxton drew inspiration from her own experiences with an eating disorder when developing the themes of control and body horror within the film.