Chock-full of surprises and nigh-on indefinable, Nasty Baby shocks, subverts and delights in equal measure – to say much more would risk revealing too much.

Sharp and sardonic, this naturalistically-acted drama deals intelligently and wittily with issues of art, family and community in a hip New York neighbourhood where the urbane liberals clash with their intolerant neighbours in unexpected ways.

Highlights include the crisp cinematography, cutting-edge soundtrack and a magnetic supporting performance from TV on the Radio’s Tunde Adebimpe – Nasty Baby won’t be for everybody, but offers plenty to think about for those willing to be swept along.

After the film’s premiere, precociously talented writer-director-actor Sebastian Silva asked his audience “Are you feeling morally confused? I hope so” – this nicely encapsulates this unusual and wickedly subversive film.

RATING: 4/5

INFORMATION

CAST: Kristen Wiig, Alia Shawkat, Mark Margolis

DIRECTOR: Sebastián Silva

WRITER: Sebastián Silva

SYNOPSIS: A close-knit trio navigates the idea of creating life, while at the same time being confronted with a brutal scenario that causes them to take a life.