Birthrite Review – This Weird Pregnancy Horror Had Me Hooked (Eventually)

Okay, so I just watched this horror film called Birthrite, and bro, I have to talk about it. It’s weird, slow, frustrating at times… but then it hit me with such a wild third act that I’m still kinda shook.

If you like those slow-burn psychological horrors — especially ones around pregnancy — then this one might just crawl under your skin. But fair warning, it’s not for everyone.

So yeah, here’s my totally unfiltered Birthrite review.

First Impressions – Pregnancy Horror with a Queer Couple? I’m In.

I’ve got a soft spot for these horror films where the main fear isn’t ghosts or monsters, but like… the body, the mind, relationships. You know, that uncomfortable stuff. Pregnancy horror especially hits different — all the anxiety, the lack of control, the isolation — it’s terrifying when done right.

So when I saw the trailer for Birthrite, I was curious. Directed by Ross Partridge, starring Alice Kremelberg and Juani Feliz, and centered around a queer couple? I was like — okay, let’s go.

The setup’s pretty simple: Wren inherits this old, kinda creepy house. She moves in with her girlfriend Maya. Then she finds out she’s pregnant. Things start off sweet… but obviously, it’s a horror movie, so things spiral fast.

Birthrite Tries to Say a Lot — Maybe Too Much

Here’s where things get messy. The film tries to do everything at once.

It talks about:

Pregnancy and body horror
The healthcare system being dismissive (especially towards women)
Queer identity and family trauma
Mental health
Even some hints at generational curses or inherited trauma

And look, I love that ambition. But the problem? When a movie juggles that many themes, some are bound to get lost.

In this case, I felt like Wren’s journey was solid — her inner conflict, her doubt, her fear — that part was well handled. But Maya? Man, her storyline just kinda fades away.

Maya Deserved Better

There’s this moment in the middle of the film — a scene between Maya and her mom — that genuinely got me emotional. It felt like the start of something deep. Like, okay, we’re finally gonna understand Maya’s backstory, her emotional weight, her relationship with family.

But nope. After that one scene, it’s like the film forgets she has a life outside of Wren.

So by the end, Maya doesn’t feel like a full character. She’s just… there. Supporting Wren. And that’s a shame because Juani Feliz is clearly capable of so much more.

Honestly, it feels like Birthrite had a longer cut, and someone chopped Maya’s arc right out in editing.

The Twists Keep Coming (And Some Actually Work)

Let’s talk about the twists, because whoa.

There’s a reveal at the end of the first act that completely messed with my head. Like, genuinely made me question everything I’d just seen. And from there, the movie just keeps flipping the script.

Every time I thought I knew where it was going, Birthrite would veer off into a totally different direction.

Now, not every twist works. Some felt a little forced, and a few moments could’ve hit harder if the editing had chilled out. The third act especially feels kinda rushed — like it’s trying to cram a whole season of trauma and horror into 20 minutes.

But the emotional payoff in the final scene? Chilling. Weirdly satisfying. Totally worth sitting through the slower parts.

The Performances: A Mixed Bag

Now to the acting — I’ve got thoughts.

Alice Kremelberg (Wren) has this quiet intensity. She’s not super expressive in the beginning, and that kinda bugged me at first. But then, once the mental and physical horror kicks in, she absolutely delivers. There’s this one scene in the third act — no spoilers — where she just breaks, and it’s raw as hell.

Juani Feliz (Maya) is solid too, but like I said, she’s not given much to do in the second half. Which sucks, because she had so much potential.

Shoutout to Jennifer Lafleur and Kali Beaulieu though — both of them show up late in the film and absolutely steal their scenes. Sometimes the side characters are way more believable than the leads, and that’s kinda what happens here.

The Editing Almost Ruined It For Me

I gotta mention the editing because honestly… it’s one of the film’s weak points.

Some scenes just don’t breathe. You’re dropped into intense moments without buildup, or taken out of emotional beats too soon. Like, give me a second to feel something, bro!

I get that horror films like to keep things tight and suspenseful, but Birthrite could’ve used a little more patience — especially in the final 30 minutes where everything important happens.

Final Verdict – Slow Start, Strong Finish

So here’s the real tea: Birthrite isn’t a perfect movie. It’s messy. It’s frustrating. But it’s also different. Risky. And at times, really powerful.

If you like clean, straightforward horror, this might not be for you.

But if you’re okay with a film that fumbles a bit, stumbles through its themes, but still delivers a gut-punch in the end — give this one a go.

My Birthrite review, in short:

First act: Slow, a bit awkward
Second act: Some hits, some misses
Third act: Worth the price of admission

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Should You Watch It?

If you’re into:

Psychological horror
Pregnancy themes
Queer relationships in horror
Slow burns with wild payoffs

Then yeah — I’d say Birthrite is worth checking out. Just don’t expect a perfect film. Expect something a little broken, a little weird… and surprisingly unforgettable.