Saccharine – Movie Review (4/5)

SACCHARINE is a psychological horror movie that also has a huge element of body horror. On paper, it might sound like something you’ve watched recently, but it delivers several unique twists. I absolutely loved it. Read our full Saccharine movie review here!

SACCHARINE is a horror movie that has elements from several horror subgenres. From the psychological horror element to body horror and even a supernatural ghostly element. This movie has so much going for it that I found myself enjoying it more and more as it evolved.

To be fair, this is not a horror movie for anyone struggling with body image or eating disorders. On the other hand, you may also find that you recognize yourself or feel more seen. This is not about fat shaming, but rather about self-hatred and self-confidence, which come in all shapes and sizes.

Continue reading our Saccharine horror movie review below. Find it in theaters from May 22, 2026, and on VOD from June 12.

The weight loss struggle is brutal

With Saccharine, we’re getting a horror movie that may sound quite a bit like another movie we recently reviewed. That one was titled Thinestra, and while the plots are somewhat similar, the overall storyline and quality differ quite a lot. I don’t expect to watch Thinestra again, but I would absolutely rewatch Saccharine!

We meet Hana (an amazing Midori Francis), who has long struggled with wanting to lose weight. She works out and counts calories before giving in to her cravings before the day is done. Also, she’s a medical student and has quite a crush on one of the trainers at her local gym.

So much is going well for Hana, if only she could be thin. This is her frame of mind when someone introduces a brand new solution: Take a simple pill known as the “Gray”, and you will lose weight while eating whatever you want.

An Ozempic Thinner hybrid

Sounds too good to be true, but Hana gives in – and it works. Of course, being a medical student, she also studies the content of this pill that has quickly become an underground and obscure weight-loss craze. It turns out the gray powder in the pills is human ashes.

And yes, taking the pill does have a strange and sinister side effect that can only be described as haunting.

Also, losing the weight may be easy, but stopping the weight loss is not. As such, Saccharine reminded me of the Stephen King adaptation Thinner, which also had a supernatural element. Of course, the weight loss pill in Saccharine is hardly science fiction, as Ozempic has very similar effects.

Whatever you expect from Saccharine, I encourage you to watch it with an open mind. And be ready for some truly brutal scenes of various kinds. Sometimes violent and bloody, other times more yucky and disturbing. This horror movie has it all, but most importantly, an important message at its heart.

However, it doesn’t get soft or predictable to get this across, so don’t let your guard down.

Watch Saccharine in theaters

Saccharine comes from writer-director Natalie Erika James, who also produces this movie. Having already watched – and loved – her 2020 movie Relic, I was admittedly expecting a lot from Natalie Erika James. And I was so very pleased with what she delivered with this one.

Also, I have to highlight the amazing casting of this movie with Madeleine Madden (Tomorrow When the War Began) and Annie Shapero (upcoming season 2 of House of the Dragon) in key roles. And, especially having Danielle Macdonald (The Tourist) as the amazing best friend of Midori Francis’ “Hana”.

When it comes to physical size and appearance, the world (and social media, in particular) is full of toxic messages. I appreciate how Saccharine touches on all sides of this while also highlighting that health and personal happiness are what truly matter. Watch Saccharine as a straight-up horror movie or enjoy it for all that it is. Just make sure you do watch it!

Saccharine is releasing in theaters on May 22, 2026, and on VOD from June 12.

Details

Director: Natalie Erika James
Writer: Natalie Erika James
Cast: Midori Francis, Madeleine Madden, Danielle Macdonald, Anna Adams, Annie Shapero