WARNING: This list contains mentions of murder, violence, cannibalism, and sexual assault.
Hulu’s new horror offering, Fresh, is more than meets the eye. It starts slowly, hinting at the dangers of online dating. A half-hour in, the danger is revealed to be not so much fear of assault or pain, but rather deep, psychological horror. With barely any on-screen violence, the movie remains terrifying.
Much of the horror in Fresh comes from the dialogue, as it allows the audience a window into the mindset of both predator and seeming prey. The dialogue manages to keep viewers as tense as the action, alternately making them cringe, cry, or even laugh despite themselves.
Establishing Grrl Power
“F--- the Beast. I am the Beast.”
Noa and Mollie’s boxing scene establishes their strong friendship. They are building muscle, but also building each other up emotionally. Mollie trash-talks Disney princesses to reassure Noa, encouraging her to reject the idea that she needs a man in her life at all. Yet, of all the princes to identify with, Nora chose the one who is under a curse, a prisoner in his own house, consumed with anger and self-loathing, hinting to the viewer that her troubles with relationships run deep.
Steve Tells The Terrifying Truth
“The fresher the meat, the better. So I’m going to keep you alive as long as I can.”
Even when Steve drugged Noa, his intentions were not clear. When the scene shifted to Noa waking up in a cell, her wrists in cuffs, the first assumption was the common horror trope of stalker/serial killer who keeps women for sadistic pleasure. The terror ramps up when he reveals his true intentions, along with the depth of his god complex. Noa doesn’t have rape or violent torture in her future, but she will be kept numb on pain medication as she is slowly eaten alive, carved like a roast for men’s pleasure, a situation that seems unbearable psychologically.
Steve
“Try to relax. Fear and stress isn’t good for the meat.”
Steve delivers many chilling lines in a banal tone, but this one not only shows that he is evil, it displays that his arrogance and sense of entitlement has progressed to the place where he can’t understand why a woman would be upset that she is being held prisoner and slowly murdered.
Not only does he expect Noa to “be good,” he wants to make her complicit in her own cannibalization – to actively make her meat sweeter and tastier for the men who are paying to kill and consume her.
Penny Throws Noa An Emotional Lifeline
"It’s not our fault, Noa. It’s always theirs."
Fresh focuses on the psychological toll constant violence and fear of violence takes on women. Noa and Mollie are aware of and have their guard up against guys like Chad, who are obviously toxic. Yet, alone in her cell, Noa immediately internalizes the blame for her abduction. There is no doubt that she would have spiraled into self-loathing and potentially insanity if not for Penny. Despite her trauma, Penny refuses to listen to Noa’s self-blame, interrupting her and reminding her of the truth: that it is not their fault a cannibalistic narcissist targeted them.
The Note From A Dead Woman
"If you’re reading this it means he likes you. Use it. Keep f---ing fighting. Sending strength."
Noa draws strength from her conversations with Penny, but when she sees this note in the margins of the magazine Steve gave her, she is connected not just to her fellow captive, but to the women Steve has imprisoned and disposed of in the past. Sami wasn’t able to get free, but her words inspire and motivate Noa to use any and every trick she can to stay in Steve’s good graces (and to stay as whole as possible). As repugnant as it is, Noa understands that she must appeal to Steve’s vanity and ego if she wants to find a way to escape. It is a tragic example of female friendship that transcends death.
Noa Commits To Her Survival
"What does it taste like?"
After considering Sami’s note, Noa determines to tap into the ‘affection’ that Steve has for her. Steve has already shown her preferential treatment – removing a part of her body that still allows her to be mobile, not removing any additional flesh, and even coming into her cell to complain about his long working hours as one would to a partner. Since Steve’s only known ion is eating women, Noa engages him on that topic, suggesting that she could be like him, opening a crack for Steve to see her as a companion, not dinner.
Paul Is Genre Savvy
“Come on, man. We’ve seen this movie. We don’t make it out this b---- alive, you know this.”
Paul is the one decent guy in this film. He has been friendly and helpful since he first gave Noa a cup of cherries, and he assists Mollie in getting the information she needs in her hunt for Noa. He clearly has a thing for Mollie (and her pouty lip), and he is concerned enough by her lack of communication to track her down. However, as Paul goes off the beaten path, and the strange occurrences are stacking up, his sense of self-preservation goes into high gear. Once he hears the gunshot, he bolts, his reference to the genre a brief comedic relief for the audience.
Molly Is Not Here For Women Who Aren’t There For Each Other
"I asked you for help! B----es like you are the f---ing problem!"
Mollie knows something is off with Steve. She complains that Noa is “dickmatized” and too trusting. Very aware of potential danger, she immediately goes into detective mode when she realizes Noa is in trouble. Despite the awkwardness, Mollie goes to Steve’s wife to find Noa, assuming that Ann will have a basic level of humanity. Mollie is the kind of woman who believes in solidarity with other women and looking out for one another. She takes it as a betrayal that any woman would be complicit in what Steve is doing, and vents her disappointment quite effectively.
Noa Dishes Out Revenge
“Come on. Give me a smile.”
Noa has been forced to placate Steve, going through a kind of twisted courtship. She has obeyed him, flattered him, dressed up for him, and even eaten human flesh. Noa made it clear in earlier scenes that she despises being fake or putting on a pretense, but she swallows all her disgust.
Once she is actively fighting Steve, she is free to express the deep rage she felt at his insistence that she smile while being tortured. She echoes his words, demonstrating how it feels to be told to smile while being killed.
Love Conquers All
“I love you.” “I love you more.”
Noa and Mollie are platonic soul mates. They are always there for one another, and stay in constant , always ending conversations with these words. Because they have established this call and response, Mollie knows immediately when Steve is answering Noa’s texts. These are not empty words. When one is in trouble, the other will come to her aid. It is their teamwork (with an assist from Penny) that helps them confront their attacker, as well as his accomplice. Just as the show opened on their conversation, the movie ends on their words, cementing the strength of female friendship.