Saccharine

Directed by Natalie Erika James
Australia
2026
112 mins
Unclassified 18+
Nothing is sweet in this atmospheric Aussie body horror from Natalie Erika James (Relic) about a medical student taking sinister weight-loss pills. Sundance and Berlinale 2026.

When medical student, Hana (Midori Francis, Grey's Anatomy), runs into an old friend who has drastically slimmed down since high school, she becomes enticed to take the same weight loss medication. Desperate to gain the adoration of her personal trainer and crush, Alanya (Madeleine Madden, Mystery Road), Hana gets wrapped up in her insecurities and addicted to the drug – so much so, she starts making her own pills. But the main ingredient brings ghastly consequences when Hana is haunted by a horrifying and hungry ghost that grows larger while Hana’s body grows smaller. James's stylish, genre filmmaking is a timely and biting critique of online consumption and body-centric culture.

A frenzied, nightmarish climax of greed, desire and full-tilt excess that takes a sharp-toothed bite out of society’s toxic obsession with women’s bodies.
Nikki Baughan, Screen International

Special Guests

Natalie Erika James
Director

Natalie Erika James is a Japanese-Australian writer, director and producer focused on dark genre stories told with heart. Her debut psychological horror, RELIC, premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim, going on to screen at festivals including BFI, SXSW and Sitges, where it was awarded a Special Mention for Direction. RELIC also received a nomination for Best Feature at the 2020 IFP Gotham Awards, as well as nominations for Best Film, Best Direction, and Best Screenplay at the 2020 AACTA Awards.

Tickets

Thu 4 June 2026, 9pm
Selling Fast
Sydney Opera House
1 Guest
Assisted ListeningWheelchair
Tue 9 June 2026, 6:10pm
Dendy Newtown - Cinema 1
1 Guest
Assisted ListeningWheelchair
  • Program Strand
  • Year
    2026
  • Classification
    Unclassified 18+
  • Country
    Australia
  • Language
    In English
  • Director
    Natalie Erika James
  • Producer
    Anna McLeish, Sarah Shaw, Natalie Erika James
  • Cast
    Midori Francis, Danielle Macdonald, Madeleine Madden
  • Screenwriter
    Natalie Erika James
  • Cinematographer
    Charlie Sarroff
  • Editor
    Sean Lahiff
  • Composer
    Hannah Peel
  • Genre
  • Premiere
    Australian Premiere
  • Company Credits
    Australian Distributor: Maslow Entertainment
  • Official Website
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