In Sickness and in Health (2026)

-Written by Kyle Bain. 

Living with the trauma of her husband’s recent exorcism, a woman must navigate a dark, frigid world in which she must always remain conscious of the threats that lurk around the corner. In Sickness and In Health challenges marital norms and begs viewers to question what is real and what’s acceptable.

While the occult is used as the vehicle by which this story is told, the reality is that In Sickness and In Health is a film about abuse. What does abuse look like? How do we confront it? How do we change it? In Sickness and In Health wants viewers to understand that the physical darkness that consumes the entirety of its short runtime is simply a symbol for the treachery that is abuse. 

With all of that being said, however, it takes some time for Director Alexandria Collins and Writer Montserrat Luna-Ballantyne to reveal to the viewer the true premise of In Sickness and In Health. Viewers are almost strung along for some time, forced to ask themselves what the traumatic event was that forced this couple to seek therapy. There’s a moment when it feels like it may have been infidelity. Another when it feels like the loss. Then there’s a series of instances in which viewers truly have no idea what to believe to be true. The most consistent piece of this is the inconsistency—and I mean that in the best way. As In Sickness and In Health shifts from place to place and we’re forced to follow along to the best of our ability, we’re pulled further into the narrative and the physical darkness that, again, consumes this film. 

The darkness is something that I’ve mentioned a couple of times at this point. It’s essential to the development of the mystery present in In Sickness and In Health, and characters are often hidden in plain sight as a result of the gorgeous visuals that Collins is able to achieve. Her team is spectacular in developing mood through their use of light—and, again, the mystery that acts as the anchor of this film builds as a result of this important piece of the puzzle. 

Constantly shifting a narrative can sometimes be distracting, detract from the greater story, and challenge viewers’ ability to remain present. In Sickness and In Health, however, this ultimately propels the film toward something exceptional. Intentional ambiguity, figures shrouded in darkness, and an enveloping sense of terror combine to create something immersive, harrowing, and yet fun. In Sickness and In Health challenges societal norms surrounding abuse, but in an original and effective way. 

Directed by Alexandria Collins. 

Written by Montserrat Luna-Ballantyne. 

Starring Yumarie Morales, Rufino Romero, & Luis Fernandez-Gill. 

7.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING