Savage Grace (2007) is a haunting psychological drama directed by Tom Kalin, adapted from the true-crime story detailed in Natalie Robins and Steven M.L. Aronson’s book. The film traces the turbulent life of Barbara Daly Baekeland (Julianne Moore), a glamorous but emotionally unstable woman whose marriage into the wealthy Baekeland family leads to tragedy.
The story follows Barbara’s marriage to Brooks Baekeland (Stephen Dillane), heir to the Bakelite plastics fortune. Their relationship is marked by passion, resentment, and manipulation, but the focus soon shifts to their son, Tony (Eddie Redmayne), who becomes the center of Barbara’s obsessive love and blurred boundaries. As Tony grows older, his struggle with his sexuality and his complicated, co-dependent relationship with his mother push their dynamic into deeply disturbing territory, ultimately leading to violence and irreversible consequences.
Julianne Moore gives a fearless performance as Barbara, capturing both her allure and her fragility. Eddie Redmayne, in one of his earliest and most daring roles, delivers a chilling portrayal of Tony’s descent into confusion and despair. The chemistry between the two is unsettling yet hypnotic, making the film an uncomfortable but compelling watch.
The film’s visual style mirrors its themes—lavish settings and elegant costumes contrast sharply with the emotional decay and dysfunction at the core of the Baekeland family. Director Tom Kalin avoids sensationalism, instead offering a slow-burning and psychologically layered exploration of class privilege, mental illness, and toxic family ties.
Upon release, Savage Grace divided critics. While some praised its bold performances and unsettling intimacy, others found it emotionally distant or too restrained given the shocking true story. Nevertheless, the film has since been remembered as a provocative exploration of obsession and dysfunction within the gilded world of the wealthy elite.
Dark, elegant, and deeply unsettling, Savage Grace is not for the faint of heart. It’s a portrait of privilege collapsing under the weight of secrets, desire, and madness, leaving behind a chilling true-crime tragedy that continues to fascinate.
