The recent surge of films centered around Orthodox Judaism is striking, particularly in how they intertwine themes of oppression and dysfunction within genre storytelling. The strict lifestyle, norms, and rituals inherent to this culture have often led to a regressive perspective, limiting broader worldviews.
While some individuals have embraced same-sex relationships, there remains a faction that perpetuates harm through antiquated ideologies. This tension continues to ignite controversy and concern.
The Dybbuk legend adds chilling layers to Attachment’s record (Photo: Attachment/Shudder)In addition to this backdrop, the community holds a strong belief in religious laws, with Jewish culture heavily influenced by mystical traditions and dark arts. Many films explore societal beliefs through ethnographic representations of these supernatural elements.
For instance, the 2023 horror drama Attachment presents a narrative of burgeoning love intertwined with possession, revolving around the ancient evil spirit known as the Dybbuk. This entity is often depicted in horror films within Jewish folklore as a malicious spirit that takes possession of the lost and forgotten.
The mystery thriller showcases the romantic journey of Maja, a fading actress, who falls deeply in love with Leah, a young Jewish academic from the UK. However, their relationship takes a turn when Leah experiences a seizure that results in a broken leg, prompting her to return to her mother’s home in London.
Maja decides to accompany Leah to maximize their time together, but encounters difficulties as Leah’s mother, Chana, a fiercely protective and religious figure, disapproves of Maja’s presence. While Maja seeks to earn Chana’s trust, she begins to notice unsettling occurrences in the household that lead her to suspect Chana has ulterior motives regarding her daughter.
Attachment (2023) Plot Summary and Movie Synopsis
The film introduces us to Maja, a washed-up actress, whose chance meeting with Leah, a bright scholar from London, sparks an immediate connection. Their tea invitation quickly evolves into a night of deep conversation and laughter over wine. Before long, Leah moves in with Maja, solidifying their bond.
One evening, Maja observes Leah sleepwalking and humming a tune. The next day, during breakfast, Leah suffers a severe seizure that results in a fractured leg. Following a doctor’s visit, Leah, avoiding her mother’s calls, chooses to return to London with Maja by her side.
Chana, Leah’s mother, hails from a Danish background and is deeply entrenched in a traditional, religious Jewish lifestyle. Upon meeting Maja, Chana virtually ignores her, focusing entirely on her daughter’s recovery.
Although she shows affection toward Leah, her intensity borders on overwhelming. Maja tries to build rapport with Chana but feels an undeniable coldness, suggesting disapproval of her relationship with Leah.
After their first day together, Chana gifts Maja an amethyst pendant, claiming it protects against dark spirits. Maja later inquires about Chana’s feelings regarding their relationship, and Leah reassures her that Chana has been in emotional turmoil since her husband left, redirecting her focus entirely onto Leah’s welfare. Despite Chana’s seemingly aloof demeanor, Leah insists that her mother is kind and welcoming at heart.
Recognizing Chana’s overprotectiveness, Maja chooses to overlook any chilliness in their interactions and wears the protective amulet. However, as time progresses, she becomes increasingly aware of peculiar happenings within the house, including candles mysteriously lit at night, sea salt placed strategically in corners, and an old bowl with strange inscriptions hidden away.
Intrigued by these oddities, Maja visits a nearby Jewish bookstore to gather information. The shopkeeper, who turns out to be Chana’s brother-in-law, recognizes the amulet and becomes reticent when Maja presses for information regarding Leah and Chana.
Instead, he directs her to a book detailing various evil spirits, including the Dybbuk, and their influence on the living. Maja, dismissing his warnings, grows more suspicious of Leah’s mother.
Later, Maja heads upstairs to see Leah while Chana prepares soup for her daughter. When Leah invites Maja to share the meal, Chana reacts fiercely, snatching the soup away.
Maja finds this behavior odd and is determined to forge a connection with Chana, asking her to show her around the neighborhood. Meanwhile, Chana is seen gathering mysterious black pouches from local Jewish shops.
Leah’s mother Chana raises suspicions with her protective nature (Photo: Attachment/Shudder)During an intimate moment with Leah, Maja is distracted by strange cracking noises that only she can hear, accompanied by the flickering candlelight. Leah reassures her, emphasizing how much Maja’s presence means during her recovery, revealing that she has never experienced such a profound relationship before.
The next day, while Leah and Chana are at the doctor’s office, Maja’s friend Lev pays her a visit to discuss Dybbuk further. Their conversation is interrupted when Leah and Chana return, and Chana expresses her disapproval of Lev’s presence.
Later, when Maja offers to assist Chana with carrying items, Chana’s resentment boils over. Maja, frustrated, asserts that Chana’s refusal to acknowledge her love for Leah is damaging, and admits she desperately wants to be part of their family.
Following a heartfelt discussion where Maja apologizes for her outburst, Chana shares a couple of beers with her, revealing the sacrifices she made for her daughter’s upbringing.
When Maja mentions plans to relocate with Leah once she recovers, Chana’s demeanor shifts dramatically, leading her to retreat into the kitchen. What motivates Chana’s desire to keep Maja away from Leah? What secrets does Maja uncover about Chana?
Later that night, Maja overhears Chana angrily confronting Lev over the phone, instructing him to avoid Maja. Intrigued, Maja takes a spare key from Leah’s room to investigate Chana’s apartment, discovering evidence of black magic and witchcraft.
When Maja shares her findings with Leah, the latter reacts with fury, suggesting they may have rushed their relationship. Chana further provokes Maja, insinuating she should leave Leah alone for her own well-being.
Desperate for answers, Maja seeks Lev’s help, but he warns her that her presence poses danger and advises her to leave. Despite this, Maja remains resolute in exposing the truth about Chana to Leah.
She invites Chana to dinner, where a discussion about fresh starts takes place. However, during the meal, Maja chokes on a piece of chicken, which turns out to contain peanuts, triggering an allergic reaction.
In a twist, it is revealed that Maja intentionally added peanuts to the food, aiming to make Leah believe her mother was trying to harm her. Leah grows upset with Chana, demanding she leave. Before departing, Chana ominously warns Maja that she does not understand the perilous situation she is in, stating, “he will kill her.”
Attachment (2023) Movie Ending, Explained
Following the dinner incident, the couple retreats to a vacation home in the woods owned by Maja’s father. However, Leah’s behavior takes a disturbing turn; she becomes withdrawn, ceasing to eat and isolating herself.
One night, while Maja sleeps deeply, Leah suffers another seizure. The next day, Maja notices a lump on Leah’s stomach and encourages her to see a doctor, but Leah declines, insisting she feels fine.
Concerned, Maja secretly seeks out Lev for guidance, only to find that Chana has followed them to learn about Leah’s condition.
Lev, who has kept the truth concealed for years, finally pushes Chana to reveal that Leah is possessed by a Dybbuk, a demon that is slowly consuming her. Chana’s use of black magic is her attempt to sustain Leah’s life.
However, the demon’s power increases when Leah is away from her mother, leading to control over her body and mind. Maja listens intently, though skepticism is evident in her demeanor. She instructs them to follow her back to the house but manages to escape before they can reach their vehicle.
What message does Attachment (2023) convey?
In the meantime, Maja rushes back home, urging Leah to pack her belongings, convinced that something is seriously wrong. Leah appears pale and frail, her eyes distant, and expresses pain at Maja’s insistence that she isn’t well.
Leah confronts Maja, suggesting that their separation has torn her life apart, highlighting the destructive nature of possessiveness in love. This pivotal scene underscores the film’s exploration of attachment; true love should not lead to control or manipulation. Thus far, the narrative has portrayed the deep affection shared between mother and daughter, despite their differing expressions of love.
