Born in the UK, writer-director Paris Zarcilla is the son of parents who emigrated from the Philippines. Growing up, Zarcilla observed his graduate mother at work, as a cleaner and nanny: “it was strange to see the most powerful person I knew being spoken down to sometimes”. Raging Grace reflects Zarcilla’s anger about the immigrant experience, and in particular the “rise of Asian hate, both in the US and the UK” during the COVID pandemic, when the film was made.

The film’s two lead actresses give powerhouse performances: Filipina actress Max Eigenmann as undocumented worker Joy, and 9 year old Jaeden Paige Boadilla, making her movie debut as her daughter Grace (Boadilla’s only previous acting experience was in a Nativity play). Veteran Scottish actor David Hayman plays a key supporting role; his previous films include Hope & Glory, and Sid & Nancy (in which he played Malcolm McLaren). The lighting of the house in which much of the action is set is influenced by Stanley Kubrick’s Barry Lyndon: “we were looking for something very natural-looking, not too overlit, and to work with what the space was giving us”.

Raging Grace is the first feature film made by a British Filipino director and is the first of a trilogy about the immigrant experience: the second will be a heist movie Domestic, set in the 1990s. For all three Zarcilla describes himself as “playing in the blended genre sandbox”. Raging Grace combines thriller, gothic horror, social drama and comedy – Zarcilla considers this more reflective of real life than constraining himself to one genre.

“An impressive combination of acute contemporary issue drama with traditional gothic … the film has a genuine chill.” Kim Newman, Sight & Sound

“Cunning thriller … Right from the start, Zarcilla generates a compelling rooting interest in his protagonist.” Joe Leydon, Variety