“Die My Love” is a 2025 American film, billed as a black comedy-drama directed by Lynne Ramsay and written by Ramsay, Enda Walsh, and Alice Birch. It is based on the 2012 novel “Die, My Love” by Ariana Harwicz. The film follows Grace (Jennifer Lawrence), a young mother who develops postpartum depression and, alongside her partner Jackson (Robert Pattinson), descends into psychosis. The supporting cast includes LaKeith Stanfield, Nick Nolte, and Sissy Spacek.
I recently watched this film with my wife, and I have some strong opinions about it. For many years, I have said that I am not a critic but just an average guy sharing my thoughts on movies. I understand that the movie-going experience can be expensive and challenging for many, but I believe movies are a vital form of contemporary storytelling. So, the key question for me is whether I enjoyed or gained something positive from the experience. While this film is receiving outstanding critical acclaim, my perspective as a regular viewer may differ significantly from that of conventional critics.
I loved the cast of this movie—every actor is fantastic. One would think that with talents like Nick Nolte, Jennifer Lawrence, Sissy Spacek, and Robert Pattinson, this film would be a guaranteed hit. However, that wasn’t my experience.
I encountered several technical issues that I suspect were intentional, given that this is supposed to be an art film. From the sound (at times, I had to cover my ears due to drastically varying volumes) to the visuals (often, the film does not fill the entire screen), the inconsistencies in storytelling left me and many others confused. In fact, some audience members walked out within the first 15 to 30 minutes. For me, watching this film was a struggle, which is unfortunate because the subject of postpartum depression deserves to be addressed in a coherent manner. The audience should be able to grasp its complexities, but my experience was one of confusion, which significantly distracted from the film’s overall impact. While it’s hailed as an art film, it simply wasn’t to my taste in art.
Regarding the performances, despite my overall dislike for the film, every actor brought their A-game. I wouldn’t be surprised to see nominations come award season, especially for Jennifer Lawrence, who delivers an outstanding performance in this R-rated film. If it weren’t for the film itself—though I fear it won’t do well at the box office—this could be a strong addition to her resume. Unfortunately, if general audiences share my feelings, it could be seen as a setback for her career, which would be a shame due to her evident talent.
Postpartum depression is a real issue that many women face after childbirth; it can be devastating. We see elements of this through Lawrence’s character, who exhibits confusion, poor decision-making, and a mix of raw, destructive anger. The question arises: can this topic be portrayed in an entertaining way? I’m not sure it can be, but it certainly could be conveyed in a clear and educational manner, which was not achieved here. After discussing the film with my wife and others, we all shared similar perspectives and found it unenjoyable. Perhaps I should have attended a more artsy venue to watch it, but even then, I doubt it would have altered my opinion. Many have compared this film to “Mother”, but I didn’t care for that one either.
If nothing else, this film highlights the need for help and support for those dealing with postpartum depression or any form of depression. However, I prefer other methods of conveying such messages to those depicted here. The infidelity of Jennifer Lawrence’s character is present, yet without close attention, the significance of a used box of condoms found in her partner Pattinson’s truck—especially given that he and his wife haven’t been intimate for two months—might go unnoticed. Moreover, other characters and plot points similarly lack development.
For those familiar with my reviews over the years, you know that I strive to be positive and highlight the good aspects, but I found this film particularly challenging. The truth is, of the thousands of movies I’ve seen, this is one of the few I have disliked so intensely.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rate this film a 1, and if possible, I would give it an even lower score. My advice? If you’re considering a trip to the movies, choose something else.
