Emerging from the tragedy of the Chechen Belsan school hostage crisis, this film—a recipient of awards—offers a perspective rarely encountered. There's a point early on where you may find yourself questioning the purpose of what you’re seeing. Initially, I assumed it was centered around an abusive father, and then I believed it to be another story about a family struggling with deep issues. The true nature of the threat lurking just out of sight is barely suggested at first. It wasn't until the narrative gradually revealed itself that I understood we were witnessing devastating consequences stemming from a traumatic event causing severe PTSD. Despite all the turmoil, there’s genuine affection, worry, and tenderness present. This kind of horror film consistently moves me to tears. Kira Kovalenko has created something remarkable—a layered, authentic work on the world stage. On one level, it explores the intricacies of true love; at another, perhaps it mirrors Chechnya's complicated connection with Russia. My only hesitation in awarding a perfect score is that I believe some additional refinement to the script and direction could have led to a more compassionate resolution regarding the brother and father. However, I honestly can’t imagine how such an outcome might have been achieved.

Source on TMDB