Raging Grace

A drama with horror elements about a Philippine cleaning lady and single mother who manages to find employment and housing in an opulent British household, which on closer inspection hides numerous secrets. The film is a distinctive and stylistically bold social criticism including the motif of immigrants trying to fit into society and themes associated with post-colonialism. Here you will find filmmaking techniques that are typical of horror movies about haunted houses, though these are used as a means of emphasising the real horrors, which are the experiences of immigrants, who regularly encounter prejudices, generalisations and condescending attitudes. Rooted in anger at society’s behaviour toward minorities, Raging Grace is the debut film of a director of Philippine descent who, despite a few stumbles in the narrative, clearly and forcefully formulates his thesis, acknowledges the culture of his ancestors and tells about the living conditions of many people through the authentically portrayed characters of the mother and daughter. (13/10/2023)