Rebecca is an ambiguous film, leaving you unsure about how advantageous ambiguity in a narrative is when you’re
dealing with two extremely sensitive and pervasive issues: rape and mental illness. Perhaps, the viewer
can decide for themselves.
The film begins with a rather progressive beginning, which makes one hopeful of its intentions towards awareness on mental health. Rebecca is speaking to her psychotherapist about her graphic dreams. But as soon as the doctor starts speaking the conversation becomes problematic. He prescribes her some medicines to help her sleep better, and attributes her dreams to the trauma of past events when she was molested. The gaze instantly becomes aggressive, violent and triggering. He pats her hand in an offensive way, which elicits a notable response in her. Next thing we know the doctor has been found dead, and Rebecca’s hands are covered in blood. It’s understood that the psychotherapist was one of her assaulters, yet, on the level of film, the narrative is hard to comprehend.
Read LessThe film begins with a rather progressive beginning, which makes one hopeful of its intentions towards awareness on mental health. Rebecca is speaking to her psychotherapist about her graphic dreams. But as soon as the doctor starts speaking the conversation becomes problematic. He prescribes her some medicines to help her sleep better, and attributes her dreams to the trauma of past events when she was molested. The gaze instantly becomes aggressive, violent and triggering. He pats her hand in an offensive way, which elicits a notable response in her. Next thing we know the doctor has been found dead, and Rebecca’s hands are covered in blood. It’s understood that the psychotherapist was one of her assaulters, yet, on the level of film, the narrative is hard to comprehend.
