Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Nocebo’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Nocebo’.
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It is definitely safe to say, that the world has dueling opinions regarding the notion of karma. For there are those who genuinely believe that it is a very real thing. That we only get out of this life what we put in, and that there are countless examples of how negative energies come back to haunt those who make harm their priority. Yet there are plenty of other people who believe that such talk is nonsense, and that if the world truly had some kind of unseen force that created balance, far less terrible things would happen in this world. Since people would eventually understand the rules. But instead… cruelty and darkness persist. But regardless of which side you fall upon when it comes to that line of thinking, one has to admit… that the concept of karma is indeed quite intriguing, and it definitely ignites one’s imagination. 
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Since it does prompt the skeptic to look at what such a concept could in fact do for humanity and well, those that believe… already let the notion fill their mind with hope, since they embrace that belief and its potential, wholeheartedly. If anything, such discussions really do beg the question… if karma were one hundred percent proved to be real, what would it look like in our world, and how would we wield it? Which is where storytelling comes into play, since film and television and books can ponder upon such matters in a unique and crafty manner and it just so happens that Shudder is now home to a story in that vein, and Nocebo is a horror story that ponders upon the reality… that karma wouldn’t be as pretty as we would like it to be, if it were indeed a staple of our world. 

A feat that this story accomplishes by introducing us to a fashion designer named Christine, who is enjoying the good life. Because her designs are flying off of the shelves, and she has a wonderful marriage and a loving daughter and it seems as though, nothing can bring her down. That is until some dark news and a strange encounter with a rabid and mangy dog, leaves her horribly ill for months on end. To the point where she barely functions anymore and that prompts her to bring in a caretaker named Diana. Who not only knows how to make the family feel better about their day since illness is tough to watch a family member go through, but she seems to have some miracle cures from her native country to share with Christine as well. But as she spends more time in the family’s household, it becomes quite clear that Diana… does not have the best intentions in mind. In fact, she’s out for revenge against Christine and ready to punish her in the worst ways imaginable.  

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Which at first glance does seem akin to a revenge story over anything karma related. But as we learn more about Diana’s past and the long and winding and sorrowful journey that has led her to Christine’s doorstep, we come to realize that the powers she harbors and the mysticism that she is steeped in, taps into something that no other person can. What would indeed seem to be a primal form of karma, one that only the privileged seem to know about and she is able to wield it with minimal effort and transform it to make people properly pay for their disgusting actions in this life. Which leads to a harrowing cat and mouse game between this duo and even the rest of the household, and it genuinely informs us what our world would look like if by chance… we could indeed tap into karma and wield it no problem, and how it would be disastrous.  
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Sure, we would indeed see to it, that a select few can handle it like Diana does here, to try and keep it from becoming negative in nature. But since we are not objective creatures and can be conniving to get the sense of justice we deserve; it would be abused by those who seek its power and clearly as evidenced by Diana… abused by those who wield it since emotions always cloud judgment. Which makes this a bleak movie for certain. One that basically poses… that until we learn how treat one another decently, the balance we seek through concepts like karma, cannot exist. Since both Christine and Diana indulge in devastating darkness that is outright cyclical in nature. Which does indeed lead to a sour ending and a story that stays with you long after it’s come to an end with its commentary on decency and our lack of it.

However, you’ve likely noticed at this point, we haven’t talked all much about the horror aspects of this story, making it seem as though this film focuses more on the horror of our psyche over elements that would please the average horror hound. But make no mistake about it, they are there. They just so happen to be supremely subtle in nature and fused into atmosphere and eerie moments and there is a grand payoff at the end for certain, one that truly unsettles and terrifies. Making this something of a contemporary gothic horror film, one that is also wonderfully well-acted. Since Eva Green (Christine) and Mark Strong (Felix) help to make this story supremely visceral and emotional in nature and Chai Fonacier is simply chilling as Diana and well, this is definitely a worthwhile watch. Simply because you cannot go wrong with a story that takes an age-old concept to task in such a unique and original manner. One that reminds us that much of what we want as a species, is right in front of us, if we’re willing to put in the work and be decent to one another at last. 

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