Baby Ruby

Baby Ruby is a 2022 American psychological horror-thriller film written and directed by Bess Wohl, in her directorial debut. It stars Noémie Merlant, Kit Harington, and Meredith Hagner.

The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2022. It was released on February 3, 2023, by Magnet Releasing.

Plot
Jo (Noémie Merlant) is a lifestyle influencer. Her relationship with Spencer (Kit Harington) strengthens as they wait for the couple's first baby, named Ruby. After the birth of Ruby, Jo's successful world begins to fall apart as she suffers postpartum depression. Jo begins to behave aggressively and doubtfully, although she receives support from Shelly (Meredith Hagner), a neighbor who claims to be a mother even though she refuses to show her supposed baby to others. Jo becomes suspicious of the intentions of Shelly and everyone around her as she tries to protect her baby, who is also seen by Jo as someone hostile.

Cast

 * Noémie Merlant as Jo
 * Kit Harington as Spencer
 * Meredith Hagner as Shelly
 * Reed Birney as Dr. Rosenbaum
 * Jayne Atkinson as Doris

Release
The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2022. Shortly after, Magnet Releasing acquired US distribution rights to the film. It was released on February 3, 2023.

Reception
In a review for San Francisco Chronicle, Bob Strauss wrote: "Playwright Bess Wohl’s feature-directing debut is a sly, mutant meld of horror thriller, feminist satire and subjective, postpartum paranoia study. It’s serious about how the demands of baby care can overwhelm, and skeptical of societal pressures on women to not just accept but love motherhood’s burdens." Guy Lodge of Variety called the portrayal of mental breakdown after a traumatic childbirth "evocative and appropriately aggravating", and cited Merlant's portrayal of "agonized internal plight" as a factor in keeping the audience "emotionally rooted" in the film.