Found at a Catholic hospital filthy and ferocious, feral teenager Darlin’ is whisked off to a care home run by The Bishop and his obedient nuns, where she’s to be rehabilitated into a "good girl" as an example of the miraculous work of the church. But Darlin’ holds a secret darker than the "sins" she is threatened with, and she is not traveling alone. The Woman who raised her, equally fierce and feral, is ever present in the shadows of Darlin’s psyche and is determined to come for her no matter who tries to get in her way.
Acting
Lauryn Canny's physical transformation from animal to performance of girlhood
Direction
McIntosh's savage satire of Catholic 'charity' and gendered obedience
Practical Effects
The Woman's raw, unfiltered presence—no CGI, just feral commitment
Director
Pollyanna McIntosh
Lauryn Canny
Darlin’
Bryan Batt
The Bishop
Nora-Jane Noone
Sister Jennifer
Cooper Andrews
Tony
Pollyanna McIntosh
The Woman
John McConnell
Dr. Grant
Geraldine Singer
Sister Grace
Maddie Nichols
Billy
Mackenzie Graham
Bug
Jeff Pope
Clown
Eugenie Bondurant
Mona
Sabrina Gennarino
Charity
Thomas Francis Murphy
The Cardinal
Charlie Talbert
John
Peyton Wich
Duke
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
McIntosh originated The Woman in Lucky McKee's controversial 2011 film; Darlin' is her directorial debut reclaiming the character from male gaze exploitation.
The 'civilization' montage—Darlin' learning to walk, speak, dress—mirrors historical 'Indian schools' and forced assimilation, grounding horror in real institutional violence.
US
