A Gaze of Familiar Horror: ‘Think Good’ Confronts Toxicity in the Orthodox Jewish Community

Géraldine Nakache’s “Think Good” has made a significant impact at Cannes, and for good reason. This tense drama about a modern Orthodox Jewish couple’s toxic relationship sheds light on domestic abuse and control by centering its story on a community often shielded from scrutiny.

The film’s protagonist, Gil (Monia Chokri), is not just an abused woman but a devout and observant Jewish wife whose faith is deeply intertwined with her daily life. This nuance highlights the ways in which toxic relationships can manifest within communities that value compliance above all else. Nakache tackles this issue with unflinching candor, refusing to shy away from the complexities of Orthodox Judaism.

The film’s portrayal of Jacques (Nils Schneider) is equally revealing. A rigid adherent to Orthodox tradition, he uses his faith as a means of control, manipulating Gil into submission through guilt and shame. His behavior is not just a personal failing but a symptom of a larger cultural problem.

Shot in Scope, “Think Good” is visually stunning, perfectly capturing the suffocating atmosphere of Gil’s home life. The camerawork is intimate and intrusive, placing the viewer squarely in the midst of the couple’s toxic dynamics. This clever move forces us to confront the ways in which we often enable or ignore abuse within our own communities.

Nakache’s direction explores not only the horrors of domestic abuse but also the ways in which women are silenced and controlled within Orthodox Jewish communities. Gil’s desire for autonomy and independence is constantly thwarted by Jacques, who uses his faith as a means of justification. This is not just a personal failing but a symptom of a larger cultural problem.

As the film builds towards its climax, it becomes clear that “Think Good” is not just a drama about abuse; it’s also a commentary on the ways in which women are erased from their own narratives. Gil’s story is one of quiet desperation as she struggles to assert her agency within a community that values compliance above all else.

In many ways, “Think Good” feels like a companion piece to films like “Marriage Story” and “Custody”, which also explored the darker aspects of toxic relationships. However, Nakache’s film is more nuanced and specific in its portrayal of Orthodox Jewish life.

The title, “Think Good”, takes on a delicious irony as we watch Gil struggle to escape her toxic relationship. This phrase has been used by many in the community – including her own mother – as a means of soothing troubled waters. But for Gil, it’s a hollow mantra that serves only to perpetuate the cycle of abuse.

“Think Good” is a searing indictment of a culture that values compliance above all else – and a powerful reminder that we must do better to support survivors of abuse. The film will leave you feeling uncomfortable, angry, and perhaps even guilty. But it’s also a testament to Nakache’s skill as a director that she can make us feel so deeply invested in Gil’s story – and so acutely aware of our own complicity in her silence.

The true horror of “Think Good” lies not just in its portrayal of abuse but in its refusal to let us look away. It’s a gaze of familiar horror, one that we’ve seen before in other films, other stories. But it’s also a reminder that the only way to truly confront this issue is to face our own complicity head-on – and to demand change from within our own communities.