Actress Confronts Trauma Through Body Horror

Actress Midori Francis dives into a deeply personal role in the supernatural body horror film 'Saccharine.' She plays Hana, a medical student grappling with internalised fatphobia, familial trauma, and a mysterious weight-loss pill containing human ash. Francis shared that her own journey through therapy and healing enabled her to tackle such sensitive themes, which resonate with her past struggles with eating disorders and addiction's impact on her family.

The film, written and directed by Natalie Erika James, examines body image, self-worth, and shame-driven compulsions. Filmed in Melbourne, Australia, under an intense eight-week schedule, Francis was on set immediately after concluding a 38-episode stint on 'Grey's Anatomy.' The production required extensive use of prosthetics and body suits to depict Hana's physical transformation.

Francis found the project offered a pathway to explore darker aspects of herself, stating it provided an antidote to shame. She noted the director's authentic understanding of the subject matter. Despite the demanding schedule, she forged strong connections with her co-stars, particularly Danielle Macdonald, who plays her best friend.

Reflecting on her career, Francis, who gained recognition for playing queer characters, appreciates that Hana's queerness in 'Saccharine' is a natural facet of her identity, not the story's sole focus. She expressed openness to playing a villain in the future and a continued enthusiasm for the burgeoning beauty horror genre.