"FALSE POSITIVE" // TRIBECA 2021
FALSE POSITIVE, the new suspense/horror film co-written by star Illana Glazer, is a strange film and it wants you to know that right away, from the opening shot of Glazer covered in blood on a New York City street. It's an unsettling experience with a lot to say and even if it all doesn't land, it makes enough bold choices to firmly plant its foot into your psyche. Lucy (Glazer) is a marketing executive that is quickly and assuredly climbing up the corporate ladder. She is also a woman who is trying to have a baby with her husband Adrian (Justin Theroux). Lucy's work life seems to be going great, as she is indeed seemingly climbing that ladder well. But her work life is off, and her seemingly supportive and friendly boss Greg (Josh Hamilton) also tends to talk down to her without ever truly going too deep. He also expects her to be the one to always order lunch for them, as if the female in the room should indeed be a secretary as well. At home, her husband wants them to see his mentor, obstetrician Dr. Hindle (Pierce Brosnan). They seem to talk above Lucy, even when she's in the room. Her worries are unfounded, of course they are! The men in the room know what's best, both at home and at work. Even Dr. Hindle's staff, which includes a very odd and super chipper Gretchen Mol, seem to know more of what's best for Lucy than she does. There's a strong feeling that no one is telling the truth around her.
At work, her big account that she was all but assured she was getting is taken away and given to another colleague - a male one of course. But at home, Lucy is able to get pregnant and is thrilled. But as she begins to go through the steps of her pregnancy, things seem... off. Everyone tells her that there's nothing to worry about, and she's constantly told that it's just "mommy brain," instantly diminishing any real concerns she might have. There's a lot of gaslighting going on around her, but she's sure that something is wrong and people are lying about her pregnancy, about what's happening to her. As she sinks deeper and deeper into doubt, her world seems less and less familiar, with no one to turn to but herself, if she can even trust herself.
What works best with False Positive is the utterly strange and unique world that writers John Lee and Glazer have created. It's all a bit... off, and you know something is wrong but can't quite put your finger on it. Shades of Rosemary's Baby follow the trail of deception here and the results are quite creepy and troubling. The final act may not pay off for everyone (as I can feel it will be divisive), but the journey along is worth it. Ilana Glazer is very good in the role of Lucy, wonderfully hitting the right notes of descending into what feels like madness. Pierce Bronsnan is a delightfully creepy sexist doctor who never seems to actually be as good as he claims. His office is almost like a strange dream of what an office should be. There's a lot happening here, and I won't spoil it but safe to say that you will feel quite unsettled after watching, and that's exactly their point.
GRADE: B+
WRITTEN BY John Lee, Ilana Glazer DIRECTED BY John Lee STARRING Ilana Glazer, Justin Theroux, Gretchen Mol, Sophia Bush, Zainab Jah, and Pierce Brosnan SELECTED AS PART OF THE 2021 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL AND NOW STREAMING ON HULU. FOR MORE INFO: FALSE POSITIVE and STREAM IT HERE ON HULU