Raging Grace | 2023 SXSW Film Review

There aren’t many professions I hold in higher regard than those in the caregiving industry. The tenacity, kindness, and compassion that exudes from these individuals is next to none. Raging Grace follows Joy (Maxene Eigenmann), a mother of a mischievous little girl, and is endlessly pursuing opportunities to make more money and provide a better life to her daughter.

As a Filipina immigrant, the challenge to find a well-paying job without legal citizenship lends to Joy taking an offer that seems too good to be true. Hired on the spot to be a live-in caretaker for an older man with a terminal condition, Joy sneaks her daughter Grace (Jaeden Paige Boadilla) into the home with her. The disobedient l but adorable little troublemaker “sneaks” her way around the home, with little to no stealth skills. From sleeping in the closet to being completely isolated from anyone other than her mom, Grace’s restlessness and need for adventure leads her to stumble upon the old man, Mr. Garrett (David Hayman), and a dark secret that lurks within the house.

What is so fantastic about this film is the effort and technique put into defining each character’s identity and traits, including the house. Many successful gothic-horror films transform a mansion into a personality, one that is metaphorically screaming to the audience “something is awry here! Pay attention.” The precariousness that such a large building presents often lends audiences to entering a state of fear and concern when our characters walk in. It’s the orderliness, the dark basement, and a tremendous score to accompany questionable scenes, which rounds out the slow-burn of this story.

The dynamic between Joy and Grace is typical and relatable; every kid gets a bit ornery at times, oblivious to the hard work their parent(s) is putting in to provide them with solace and comfort, and Grace is no exception. She makes careless choices that put their livelihood in jeopardy, naturally progressing the story and providing the necessary tension in its audience.

Unless you already knew, you’d never believe Raging Grace comes from a director who has never released a full-length feature film before. The combination of story, creativity, and perspective all shine, but director Paris Zarcilla wisely utilizes crafty lighting and a gorgeous set. On a personal note, Zarcilla stood outside the auditorium theater to greet every person who attended as they exited the 2023 SXSW screening. That level of gentle kindness will have me forever supporting Zarcilla’s career.

In all, Raging Grace has a hauntingly beautiful aesthetic, a shocking conclusion, and a talented cast, so it’s no wonder it won several awards at SXSW 2023.