The Cleanse (2018)

Summary
"The Cleanse" is a 2018 surrealistic and comical horror film composed and directed by Bobby Miller. It includes Johnny Galecki as Paul, a sad man who is trying to get over a current split. Olly Alexander, Anna Friel, and Anjelica Huston also include in this wacky, "body-horror" movie.

Plot
Paul, after losing his task and sustaining a difficult split, stumbles upon a tv advert about a spiritual retreat that can "cleanse" him of his problems. Captivated by the promise of a fresh start, he signs up for the program. At the intro seminar, the retreat's enigmatic leader, Ken Roberts (Oliver Platt), describes that the process uses a special drink, the "cleanse", to expel negative energy from participants physically and mentally.

The Retreat
At the remote retreat, Paul satisfies other guests, including the mysterious Maggie (Anna Friel), whom he forms a romantic interest. The participants are each provided their "clean" drink, which instantly induces disconcerting and uncomfortable responses. Paul quickly finds that this is not a typical detox when he regurgitates an animal that is a physical representation of his negative energy.

The Cleanse Consequences
As the process continues, Paul develops an unforeseen bond with his "personal demon". Similarly, other attendees likewise expel their creatures, reflecting their inner negativeness. The staff at the event alert them to distance themselves from these animals as they represent their worst qualities. Nevertheless, individuals, specifically Paul, struggle with this direction.

Conclusion
As the retreat earnings, participants discover it progressively difficult to manage their animals, leading to chaos. The film exposes that if the individuals can't destroy their devils, they would be absorbed by the creatures, lost in their negativity. The climax occurs with Paul's effort to save Maggie from her monstrous animal, where he ultimately consumes her satanic force. In a surprising twist, Paul is taken in by his animal, hinting that possibly he could not conquer his negativity. The film ends ambiguously with an unfortunate and disillusioned Paul taken back home by Ken and his group. After living on the fallout of a bad breakup, he's left actually consumed by his unhappiness, highlighting the movie's allegoric theme about emotional baggage and our internal struggles.

Overview
Bobby Miller's "The Cleanse" is a thoughtful blend of horror, humor, and poignant observations about individual satanic forces and emotional cleansing. The film's central visual gag - the expulsion of individual issues represented as slimy creatures - is utilized stylishly to excavate each character's emotional layers, making it more than just another scary flick. It speaks metaphorically about the depth of human emotions, our worries, guilt, and weak points. "The Cleanse" is about the scary within ourselves, and how confronting and conquering it might not be as easy or predictable as we would like it to be.

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