'Clock' Review: A society that values birth more than birth-giver is the villain in Hulu psycho-horror
The fear of ending up lonely in a society that values birth more than the birth-giver haunts most women as more and more choose not to have a child. Condensing this fear, anxiety and the surrounding social stress into a story, writer-director Alexis Jacknow presents us with 'Clock' on Hulu, a psychological horror with a unique approach to the intimidating thought of pregnancy and raising children, the biological implications, and the unwarranted pressure from family and friends who make a big deal out of it.
Starring Dianna Argon and Melora Hardin, 'Clock' challenges traditional notions of femininity and the human experience, leaving a lasting impression on those who dare to watch. The show presents a unique and fresh perspective on the horror genre, one that is not afraid to take its time to gradually build up the viewer's fears in a way that is both thought-provoking and chilling.
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Ella's 'broken clock' and the ever-mounting pressure
It's a baby shower, and all the women there have successfully conceived, except Ella. However, Ella has made it clear that she doesn't want to have children, but unfortunately, the rest of the world doesn't seem to understand her decision and labels her as a lesser citizen. During the shower, the other women share their various post-pregnancy issues, but they quickly turn on Ella and start criticizing her for not wanting to experience the same things. They even go as far as to ask her what she even does with her life without children, which is a terrible thing to say.
In response, we see Ella living her life without children in a montage that showcases her spending time with her husband, cooking, volunteering for charity, having sex, getting massages, and pursuing a successful career as a renowned interior designer for luxurious resorts. Ella's choices are hers to make, and she's content with the life she's built for herself. Her decision not to have children shouldn't diminish her worth as a person or make her a lesser citizen in the eyes of others.
Her father, Joseph, is deeply invested in their Jewish heritage and bloodlines. He's concerned about the family's ancestral legacy and his heirloom grandfather clock, which he obviously insists must be passed down to the next generation. This clashes with Ella's decision not to have children, which threatens to end their family's legacy. Ella visits her OB-GYN's office for her annual check-up, which includes uncomfortable tools like the speculum and lubricant that make her anxious and cling to the armrest.
Her husband Aidan, a doctor, referred her to this OB-GYN as she's the best around, although her bedside manner leaves something to be desired. During the appointment, Ella discloses that her mother died due to breast cancer, and the doctor learns that Ella is 37 years old, which in gynecological terms, is "technically geriatric." Upon asking if Ella wants to have children, she responds with a firm no and explains that she doesn't feel a strong urge to have children due to her personal choices. Disregarding Ella's wishes, the doctor tells her that all women have a biological clock, insinuating that Ella's is broken which is not what a doctor does. The doctor offers Ella a clinical trial to "fix" her perceived issue, and then the appointment concludes.
Having so many second thoughts, one night, Ella and Aidan decide to forgo using a condom during sex. However, when Aidan reminds her that they should practice safe sex, the mention of her father immediately dampens the mood. Although Aidan assures Ella that he loves her and doesn't need children to be happy, she doubts him. Ella feels immensely pressurized by society, family, and even from within herself to have children. As a result, she decides to enroll in a clinical trial without telling Aidan.
The horrors of Ella's clinical trial
Ella lies to Aidan about the clinical trial, claiming it's a 10-day work trip. Despite feeling uneasy about the facility, she meets with Dr Simmons (Melora Hardin), a reassuring woman who appears trustworthy but raises doubts in Ella's mind. She follows the prescribed medication regimen and undergoes intense psychotherapy, which leads to hallucinations. Throughout this process, Ella's internal struggle with societal and familial pressure is evident. She feels like she's being forced to conform to societal norms and expectations. The clinical trial only exacerbates these feelings, and she finds herself questioning if she's making the right decision. As she takes the medication prescribed, Ella experiences terrifying hallucinations of spiders and a tall, mysterious woman whom she recognizes as her grandmother, a survivor of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Through her therapy sessions with Dr Simmons, Ella begins to confront her unresolved trauma and inherited pressure to have children. She explains that the spiders represent her family and community being exterminated, while the grandmother symbolizes the starvation and suffering her grandmother endured in the concentration camp. As Ella struggles with her hallucinations and therapy, Aidan's betrayal is revealed when she discovers he manipulated her into the clinical trial. Despite feeling angry and betrayed, Ella ultimately decides to take control of her own choices regarding motherhood, and destroys her family's beloved grandfather clock.
The climax of the movie occurs when Ella discovers the extent of her actions during her hallucinations. In a fit of rage, she killed her father by pushing him over, beating him to death, and pulling out his organs. She did this because he had promised to stop pressuring her to have children. As Ella is handcuffed by the police, she manages to escape and runs to a cliff overlooking Kings Cove. When she wakes up, she is lying on a rock and sees a salamander slithering in front of her. The salamander represents hope and resurrection and suggests that Ella has a chance for a new beginning despite her past actions.