User reviews

The film was beautiful. The acting was well done. I enjoyed the performances of both actresses, they were great.

But as a whole? Pointless. What a WASTE of time. Seemed like an excuse to cut a bunch of pretty nature shots together, with a handful of "scary" jump shots (that are NEVER truly explained or explored), and no plot.

I guess if you're really into artsy films that care more about cinematography than plot, you might enjoy this snooze fest.

I really wish it was explained why the daughter kept calling the mother Hannah. For the longest time I thought she'd been kidnapped. For all I know, that IS what happened. But this movie has no closure. No answers to any questions the viewer has. I wish I'd selected almost any other movie to watch instead.

This is a small budjet art movie, with two actors. Actors are ok and movie looks ok. It starts ok. But the writing and editing is really bad. And it does not turn good.

Nothing is explaned, nothing makes sence and endings is a big "wtf" to your face.

Movie feels like it is a compilation of shoots that was cut together night before release.

They tryed to give this one a deeper meaning. But it is so boring, bland and badly made that it is lost in the process.

This has been marked as horror. Only horror was wasting 1h 42min of my life to this "movie". If you enjoy art movies and dont care about plots this might be your movie. But as a horror movie fan i warn you. Stay away from this "10/10" movie.

First, the good to okay parts.

Actors and the scenery, pretty alright. In a movie not written by who ever this person is, they might do well.

I've rarely seen such a boring movie though. Nothing happens, nothing is explained. An utter waste of time.

A crazy woman running around digging in the dirt. That's about it.

It's marketed where i saw it as a horror movie. But, there's no horror what so ever.

The horrors of mental illness? Yes, I guess someone could make that argument, but even that is stretching it.

Pretentious, annoying, timewasting... crap.

Hard to write 600 letters about something with zero plot and even less happening.

I don't watch many movies all the way through anymore, but I got hooked on this one. It really held my interest. A real slow burn. Creepy like M Night Shyamalan. Beautiful photography and great music. I really loved it.

This is really a unique thriller because it keeps you guessing/thinking the whole time and buzzing for days afterwards breaking it all down. It's truly thrilling.

The cinematography, directing and score are all absolutely beautiful and engrossing. Overall, a unique film that I strongly recommend.

There's mystery, magic, heartbreak, and suspense in this haunting love story of a mother and daughter. This beautiful movie is a movie that will stay with you.

The scripting, acting, directing, musical score and attention to detail in settings indoor and out are outstanding, and I haven't seen cinematography as beautiful as this since An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge.

What more can I say? See it!

This quiet film manages to create an air of suspense through a mixture of great acting and masterful editing combined with an eerily beautiful score, setting and sound. The result is an intriguing tale of mother/daughter relationships and the strange turns love can take. This slow-burn film may not be to everyone's taste, but I' d urge you to give it a chance.

ESME, MY LOVE is the kind of cinematic experience that feels so immersive, you forget you are watching a film. As a consumer, I walked through the woods with this woman and her daughter and felt every pine needle underfoot, the cold dirt between my fingers and the breeze against my skin as we began this adventure together.

In short, this is the story of a woman who survived the horrific, graphic death of her sister in childhood, with the implication that the child was made to suffer; the family knows of this genetic illness and are powerless to stop it. In a desperate attempt to avoid the same fate for her daughter, her rational mind takes a back seat to the idea that connecting with her daughter on the family's abandoned wooded estate will perhaps create some sort of miracle cure? But the question of her actual intent shines in the blade she carries and the lake waters that they precariously traverse. Why are they *really* there? Is constantly on your mind.

Anyone who has experienced the grief of losing a close family member or friend knows that the feelings are confusing. This film definitely nails that aspect of the grief spiral as the mother's constant, cryptic turns of emotion play out. Her daughter ends up experiencing her own grief spiral as she is forced to unwrap the mystery of this trip, leading to an intense and abrupt development of maturity and emotional sobriety.

I have to give props to the technical aspects of this film. The acting is absolutely perfect. It is beautifully shot, embracing the happy accidents of what I call gifts from the film gods - just the right light coming through the trees, shots of critters that abound in this environment and natural soundscapes that surround us as they are interwoven with a haunting and thoughtful soundtrack. This film also doesn't shy away from visual horror elements in addition to the psychological experience that unfolds, creating intense unease at times.

Highly recommend!

Esme, My Love, a slow burn thriller punctuated by an engrossing musical score. The quiet rural setting provided stark contrast to the mysterious events developing in the woods within. The landscapes and woods were beautifully captured by the outstanding cinematography.

Beautifully photographed film! The scenes were begun and ended very well by visuals that immerse the viewer in the world of the film. Also, I liked the way the Cinematographer racked focus to obtain an artful, immersive effect and to move the story of the film.

Performances were very involving! The Actors created great tension between their characters when it was necessary to do so. Stacey Weckstein was alternately affectionate and threatening as the mother, and very convincing both ways! Audrey Grace Marshall was amazing! How do you get a very young actress like that to perform so convincingly?

The Writing was outstanding! This is the type of film that could easily have become monotonous, but the writer made the courageous choice to raise the stakes by something the mom does mid-way through the film. I won't spoil it.

The Director took the time, and made the careful choices, to create the world of the film. And the actors were obviously well-instructed. Good film!

Technically superb! I loved the music and the cinematography is spellbinding.

The film started very slowly, however builds to a massive crescendo.

Fabulous Film.....don't miss it!

This movie tells a heartbreaking story of mother/daughter relationships in a truly beautiful way. The cinematography is outstanding. There is amazing attention to detail throughout the entire film, and the setting is gorgeous. This movie definitely has a slow-burn kind of feel, which may or may not be your cup of tea, but I found it really let you soak in all the elements of the story. I think in a faster-paced version, some important things would have gotten lost and the story wouldn't have been as powerful.

Definitely see this if you have a chance -- you won't regret it! It's really wonderful.

I'm a big fan of slow-burn dramas like Burning, and I love how Esme My Love slowly unravels a mystery. The cinematography, score, sound and performances offer a haunting meditation. I loved the darkly surreal, dreamlike look! Cory Choy creates a string of beautifully crafted scenes juxtaposed with a hypnotic musical score.

I experienced the full range of emotions (love, loss, acknowledgment, respect) that goes into the struggles of parenthood and childhood. The script made the interpersonal relationship between the characters authentic. And the two leads offer subtle performances, building mystery and subtext to this dream-like narrative. Check it out!

Esme, My Love is a beautifully shot film that showcases the outstanding talents of two rising stars, Stacey Weckstein and Audrey Grace Marshall. The captivating chemistry between the two actresses is palpable, and their performances are nothing short of excellent.

Weckstein's portrayal of Hannah, a character struggling to confront her inner demons, is both nuanced and enthralling. She brings an authentic vulnerability to the role, making her relatable to the audience. Marshall's performance as Esme is equally impressive, exuding a quiet confidence and depth that draws viewers in and keeps them invested in the story.

The dynamic between Hannah and Esme is both vibrant and unsettling. The cinematography is also stunning, with breathtaking landscapes serving as a fitting backdrop for the emotional journey that unfolds onscreen.

The performances of Weckstein and Marshall are a true testament to their acting prowess. This is a movie that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Cory Choy's feature debut "Esme, My Love" is a testament to why indie film is one of the last true art forms. Beautifully written and hauntingly shot, the film is a masterful blend of mystery thriller and lyrical narrative. This is a slow burn that delivers, builds, and satisfies in the best way possible.

Stars Stacey Weckstein and Audrey Grace both give tour de force performances, and their incredible onscreen chemistry is both taunt with tension while breaking your heart at the same time. A haunting original score serves to create a magical and nostalgic world overshadowed by a dark impending violence. "Esme, My Love" is a beautifully dark and ambitious film that will leave you breathless and thinking about how memories shape your own life.

This film is truly trilling.

Mysterious scenes - landscapes and woods - where mother/daughter unexpected story develops.

Great cinematography and acting, well thought details and music.

This is an art piece. Highly recommended to watch!