Good afternoon, House of Madness parents:
Being a parent is hard. If you aren't one already, and are thinking about becoming one, just be prepared is all I'm saying. Once you get past the infancy stage, and are done with all the crying and diapers, it's life on Easy Street, right? Heeeeeeeeeellllllllllllllll no. It's driving them to school, sports events, gymnastics, dance, or sometimes even all of the above, while you struggle with sleep, common sense, and your own sanity. There are days where a seven minute nap while resting your head on the washing machine is complete bliss, while others consist or hiding from the chaos in the pantry while you collect your wits in an uncontrollable bout of tears. Don't get me wrong, being a parent is the most rewarding thing ever, but to go into parenthood thinking it will be easy is a colossal mistake, punishable by toxic diapers which can appear any time, and out of nowhere.
For Jo (Noémie Merlant) and husband Spencer (Kit Harington), baby Ruby is going to be the greatest thing that ever happened to them. Just the mention of her makes them both light up with glee, and they can't wait to bring her into the world. They also have a support system in the way of Spencer's mother Doris (Jayne Atkinson), who might be a bit of an overbearing handful herself, but is keen and eager to meet little baby Ruby as well. One night as Jo and Spencer are getting ready for bed, the time for Ruby to arrive finally comes, and they're off to the hospital to deliver their little bundle of joy. Everyone is so happy!
The happiness doesn't last long for Jo, as Ruby is proving to be significantly more difficult than she could ever had envisioned. Ruby's constant fussing and crying are driving Jo towards a level of madness you'd only ever see on an old episode of "The Twilight Zone", and as each day passes, Jo becomes less patient, and more maniacally stressed past her limit. Even when Jo befriends another group of moms, she can't grasp how their babies are so cooperative and happy, while her's is such an overwhelming nuissance.
Things have now escalated to the point of paranoia for Jo, as someone or something is after her and Ruby, and their lives are in serious danger. Is there actually something sinister at play going on behind the scenes, or is Jo in fact an overtired, overworked mother suffering from an ailment only cured with some good old R&R? Problem is, it's hard to relax when everyone is out to get you, and your own baby may just be the ringleader.....
Madness Meter: 5.5/10
NB
