Greta (2018)

Title: Greta
Director: Neil Jordan
Writers: Ray Wright, Neil Jordan
Genre: Psychological Thriller, Drama
Release Year: 2018
Starring: Isabelle Huppert, Chloë Grace Moretz, Maika Monroe

Plot Summary

Greta is a psychological thriller that tells the story of a young woman named Frances McCullen (played by Chloë Grace Moretz) who has recently moved to New York City after the death of her mother. Struggling with loneliness and grief, she tries to rebuild her life while living with her best friend Erica (Maika Monroe).

One day, Frances finds a handbag left on the subway and, showing kindness, decides to return it to its owner. The bag belongs to Greta Hideg (Isabelle Huppert), a seemingly kind and lonely French piano teacher living alone in a quiet Brooklyn townhouse. The two women quickly develop an unlikely friendship, bonding over shared losses and emotional isolation.

However, Frances soon discovers that Greta is not who she claims to be. She finds a closet full of identical handbags—each tagged with the names of other young women. Alarmed, Frances attempts to cut ties, but Greta becomes increasingly obsessed, stalking and harassing her in disturbing and violent ways. The relationship spirals into a dangerous cat-and-mouse game, with Greta determined not to be abandoned again.

Themes and Symbolism

• Obsession and Possession: Greta’s character represents the destructive power of emotional obsession. Her need to control and manipulate others stems from deep loneliness and psychological trauma.

• Grief and Vulnerability: Frances’ grief makes her emotionally open and trusting, which Greta exploits. The film explores how loss can make people susceptible to unhealthy relationships.

• Urban Isolation: Despite being set in a busy city, Greta portrays a sense of isolation and how easy it is to fall through the cracks of society unnoticed.

Performances

• Isabelle Huppert is chillingly effective as Greta. Her transformation from gentle and friendly to menacing and psychotic is both subtle and terrifying. Her performance elevates the film.

• Chloë Grace Moretz brings vulnerability and strength to Frances, making her a relatable protagonist.

• Maika Monroe, as Erica, adds energy and sass, providing balance to the darker tones of the movie.

Cinematography and Direction

Director Neil Jordan (best known for The Crying Game and Interview with the Vampire) creates a tense and stylish atmosphere. The film has a classic, almost Hitchcockian feel, with suspense built through pacing, music, and clever camera work.

The use of shadows, mirrors, and confined spaces enhances the claustrophobic tension, especially in the second half of the movie when Greta’s true nature is fully revealed.

Reception

Greta received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised the performances and suspenseful direction, others felt the plot was predictable and leaned heavily on genre clichés. Still, Isabelle Huppert's performance was widely recognized as the highlight of the film.

Conclusion

Greta is a disturbing and stylish psychological thriller about manipulation, obsession, and the dark side of loneliness. It may not reinvent the genre, but it offers strong performances—especially from Isabelle Huppert—and delivers a gripping, suspenseful experience.