Grief can manifest itself in unexpected ways, driving those left behind to cope with it in unique and sometimes disturbing ways. For some people, the desire to remain close to their loved ones even after death can lead to an unusually long walk. This is a central theme explored in David Cronenberg’s most personal film, shroud.
Tech entrepreneur Cash (Vincent Cassel) is still mourning the death of his wife, Becca (Diane Kruger), four years ago. To keep her memory alive, he devised a way to stay connected to her in a disturbingly tangible way: through the use of high-resolution images of her rotting body in a cemetery he owned. For Cash, this grotesque sight became a testament to his love and devotion, a ritual that satisfied his obsessive need to remain close to her even in death.
Cash’s business involves selling shrouds that have been technologically modified to allow people to watch their deceased loved ones decompose, which to most people might seem creepy or even crazy. For Cash, however, it provided a sense of calm. The concept is undeniably terrifying and pushes the boundaries of what we accept in the face of grief. It feels like an idea from a David Cronenberg movie – in fact, that’s exactly what it is.
Writer-director David Cronenberg tells a story deeply rooted in personal experience, addressing the grief he felt after losing his wife, Caroline, in 2017. The doppelganger’s decision adds a haunting, almost surreal quality to the story. Castle’s portrayal of Cash – an observant atheist who finds countless ways to communicate with his late wife, no matter how absurd – challenges the viewer to consider how far one can go to come to terms with loss Love keep in touch.
But will this obsessive attachment help him move on? Absolutely not. In fact, that may be what’s preventing him from finding peace. Yet for Cash, and perhaps for those who have loved deeply, there is no willingness to let go of that love, no matter how painful or irrational it becomes. This is perhaps the film’s most profound revelation: love, even in its wildest forms, does not always seek release or closure.
Cronenberg’s new film defies easy categorization. Although it draws on themes from his earlier works, e.g. Image Galleryand collision, shroud is its own unique entity. If you’re open to a deeply personal and unconventional exploration of mourning, shroud It’s an experience you don’t want to miss
