Saccharine
After succumbing to an obscure weight-loss craze involving the eating of human ashes, lovelorn medical student Hana finds herself haunted by the ghost of the person she's eating.
Why it matters
A haunting blend of body horror and psychological obsession that turns grief and vanity into a spectral torment.
- Twists the cannibalism trope into a fresh, unsettling exploration of consumption and identity.
- Anchored by a raw, compelling performance from its lead, whose descent feels viscerally intimate.
- Practical effects bring the unsettling textures of ash and decay to gruesome life, recalling the tactile dread of Cronenberg’s best.
- Perfect for fans of slow-burn folk and body horror that unspools like a ghost story told from inside the mind.
Director
3 horror films in catalog
Cast
Horror DNA
Gore
43
Slow Burn
100
Psychological
100
Supernatural
20
Creature
18
Disturbing
83
Fun Factor
17
Cerebral
99
Survival
0
Content Warnings
Phobia triggers
Pairs Well With
Production History
Intelligence Brief
Saccharine blends body horror with ghost story elements through a chilling narrative about consuming human ashes.
- Why it matters: Natalie Erika James, known for her atmospheric tension in "Relic," returns with a film that explores grief and obsession via a disturbing weight-loss fad, pushing horror's boundaries on corporeal and spectral terror.
- What we know: The plot centers on Hana, a medical student whose descent into a macabre diet triggers hauntings, promising a fusion of psychological and supernatural scares with a feminist lens.
- Who's involved: James directs with Midori Francis leading a diverse cast including Danielle Macdonald and Madeleine Madden, indicating strong performances grounded in character-driven horror.
- The buzz: Early festival whispers highlight the film's practical effects and unsettling score, suggesting "Saccharine" could cement James as a key voice in contemporary horror blending body horror with emotional depth.
Trailers
Official Trailer
Production Intel
- Status
- Released
- Filming Locations
- Australia, Finland, United States of America