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In “Lullaby,” Jewish faith is used to develop this horror film in ways you have likely not seen before.
| Director(s) | John R. Leonetti |
| Screenplay By | Alex Greenfield, Ben Powell |
| Based On | N/A |
| Date Released (Video On Demand) | December 16, 2022 |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy, Horror, Religious |
| Duration | 1 Hour and 29 Minutes |
| Content Rating | Not Rated |
| Noted Characters and Cast | |
| John | Ramon Rodriguez |
| Rachel | Oona Chaplin |
| Lilith | Kira Guloien |
| Vivian | Liane Balaban |
| Rabbi Cohen | Constantine Alexander Karzis |
| Eli | Hudson Schnurr, Parker Schnurr |
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Film Summary
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It hasn’t been long since John and Rachel had their son Eli, and things are difficult as new parents. Rachel is continuing her work at her restaurant, John has a gallery opening, and Eli, like any baby, is fussy and crying. A new challenge neither are prepped to handle alone. So when they discover a Jewish lullaby book and singing a lullaby works, they finally have the peace needed to focus on their own lives, not just Eli’s. However, they don’t realize the sinister being they summoned, Lilith, nor why that book was included in things Rachel’s mother sent them.
Things To Note
Why Is “Lullaby” Rated Not Rated
- Dialog: Minor cursing
- Violence: Blood, depiction of violence against a baby, minor scuffles
- Sexual Content: We see John and Rachel take a shower, but there is no explicit nudity. It is just implied
- Miscellaneous: Depiction of a person with a mental illness
Collected Quote(s)
You don’t have the luxury of skepticism.
— Vivian
Character Descriptions
Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.
John
John is a gallerist who, for love, converted to Judaism but may not be the most serious about it. Mainly since it wasn’t just for love but Rachel’s mom pressuring him.
- You May Also Know The Actor From Being: Will Trent in the upcoming “Will Trent,” Ben Cruz in “The Affair,” and Bakuto in “Iron Fist” and “The Defenders.”
Rachel
Rachel is a renowned chef, trying to keep her restaurant at the caliber she expects, after having a baby, who is struggling with her only support system being her husband, John.
- You May Also Know The Actor From Being: Talisa Stark, aka Talisa Maegyr in “Game of Thrones,” Varang in the “Avatar” franchise, and Zilpha Geary in “Taboo.”
Lilith
In this version of Lilith, she remains the first woman but is painted as a villain due to lying with wolves, once kicked out of Eden, and giving birth to demonic, mutant-looking beings, and her envy for Adam and Eve’s perfect children turning her into a baby snatcher.
- You May Also Know The Actor From Being: The Sheriff in the upcoming “Robyn Hood” series
Vivian
Vivian is Rachel’s sister, the first victim of Lilith we meet, who was deeply traumatized after losing her son and husband due to Lilith.
- You May Also Know The Actor From Being: Beth in “You Can Live Forever,” Amelia Richardson in “Supernatural,” and Natasha Petrovna in “Covert Affairs”
Rabbi Cohen
While all other rabbis appear to not take Vivian, Rachel, or John seriously, Rabbi Cohen does. This is mainly because he isn’t like other rabbis considering his tattoos, a major faux pas, and demeanor.
- You May Also Know The Actor From Being: Vlad The Impaler in “We Could Be Heroes”
Review
Our Rating: Positive (Worth Seeing)
Highlights
Using Jewish Faith To Develop A Horror Movie
For nearly every horror movie we’ve seen, usually Christian or Catholic faith, if there are religious themes, is put in play. So to have a different faith used, and it to be used throughout, which includes hearing and seeing Hebrew, learning their take on Lilith, and even having a radical rabbi like Rabbi Cohen, was a treat. It changed things up in a way that reminds you that Judaism truly isn’t just a faith but a culture within itself. Hence John had to convert rather than stay whatever he was formerly.
Feeling Bad For Lilith
It sucks that outside “Lilith and Eve,” Lilith is usually shown to be a woman scorned and vengeful, and most descriptions of her graze over the sin of her existence being that she didn’t submit to Adam. So when it comes to the take of the entity in “Lullaby,” it’s hard to not feel bad for her. She is a being kicked out of Eden simply for questioning Adam, whose ego couldn’t handle that, and forced out into the wilderness with the expectation to suffer.
Yet, she is demonized for seeking ways to survive. Be it laying with wolves or longing for what was denied to her. So as much as her stealing babies makes her appear to be a villain, similar to the would-be villain in “Barbarian,” there is enough done to understand she is a villain due to the actions of another. This doesn’t mean she is innocent, but she is simply the easiest person to point a finger at because going up the ladder would complicate who is really to blame.
The Jump Scares
If you honestly just care about the jump scares, then “Lullaby” has what you are looking for. There aren’t a lot, which is a good thing, but even if you are half-watching this and just pop your full attention occasionally, you will get disturbed every now and again.
On The Fence
It Sets Up A Sequel
Unfortunately, the film sets itself up for a sequel. Which, don’t get us wrong, if it looks more into Lilith and explores her history in ways most media doesn’t, that could be cool. Never mind, considering Rachel and her sister Vivian’s relationship, and what happens in the movie, there is more to explore. Especially when you consider how things end for Vivian. However, I wouldn’t say what is possible could be a compelling 90-minute film that won’t likely feel lesser than its predecessor.
Who Is This For?
Those who have long become tired of horror movies focusing so much on Christianity or Catholicism and want a take on the genre from other faiths, specifically Judaism.
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