Babyteeth 2019

Milla Finlay, a Eliza Scanlen played by Eliza Scanlen, is a young girl facing the devastating reality of a terminal illness. The film opens with a poignant scene at a train station, where Milla waits on the platform, and a slightly older boy named Moses, played by Toby Wallace, runs near the tracks. Despite her friends waiting, Milla stays back and chats with Moses. During their conversation, her nose begins to bleed, prompting Moses to give her his shirt to stop the bleeding. In a later exchange, Moses asks Milla for shelter, revealing that he’s been kicked out of his home, and she gives him fifty dollars in exchange for a favor: shaving her head, as she is about to start chemotherapy for her illness.

Moses accompanies her home to do the haircut but is interrupted by his mother and younger brother Isaac, which forces him and Milla to leave. Meanwhile, her Henry, portrayed by Ben Mendelsohn, a therapist, and Anna, played by Essie Davis, Milla’s mother, try to reconnect after therapy. Their attempt at intimacy is interrupted, highlighting the strain brought about by Milla’s diagnosis, and Anna reveals her own struggles by taking drugs to cope.

Milla introduces Moses to her parents, leading to awkward but revealing moments. Anna expresses concern about Moses’s age and apparent drug use, which creates tension. When Anna becomes visibly affected by her medication, she exhibits strange behavior and questions Moses inappropriately, causing embarrassment and discomfort. Despite these moments, Milla shows a growing interest in Moses, hinting at her desire for connection beyond her illness.

As Milla prepares for chemotherapy, she continues to lead a relatively normal life, taking violin lessons with her tutor Gidon, played by Eugene Gilfedder, and practicing with a neighbor boy. Nonetheless, her health remains fragile. She and Moses share moments of closeness, like attending a school event, where she unveils a wig she wears to cover her hair loss. Later, she finds Moses outside the school and decides to attend the school formal with him, showing her determination to engage with life despite her circumstances.

Moses and Milla’s relationship deepens as they spend more time together, including visits to parties and the park, where they dance and share intimate moments. At a party, Moses’s behavior begins to shift as he is distracted by a kiss from another girl and encounters a mysterious woman, which leaves Milla feeling distressed. Despite their setbacks, the two find solace in each other, sharing a dance on the rooftop after a night of confusion, vomiting, and heartfelt conversations. The following day, Milla is hospitalized, marking a turning point in her journey.

Throughout the story, her parents’ struggles become more evident. Henry’s interactions with neighbor Toby and his impulsive kiss reveal their own emotional complexities, yet he remains committed to Milla’s happiness. Anna grapples with her feelings, oscillating between concern and confusion, especially as Henry confronts Moses about their relationship. Henry, despite reservations, eventually invites Moses to stay with their family, recognizing the importance of Milla’s happiness.

As time progresses, issues of trust and caregiving surface. Milla’s discovery that her father is signing Moses’s prescriptions causes her to feel betrayed, prompting her to confront her parents and push Moses away. Feeling rejected, Moses visits his brother and attempts to reconnect with his family but faces rejection as well. Despite these setbacks, he reassures Milla of his care and devotion, and they spend a final night together, solidifying their bond.

The story reaches a heart-wrenching climax during Milla’s birthday celebration. After the festivities, she and Moses prepare for their first intimate experience. In a moment of deep despair, she asks him to smother her because of her unbearable pain, but Moses cannot go through with it. They continue until she feels at peace, but her condition worsens. That night, Milla quietly walks outside to gaze at the sky, symbolizing her acceptance and final farewell.

Moses wakes up the next morning beside her, knowing she has passed away. Despite his attempts to leave, Anna finds her daughter’s body, and he quietly insists she was already gone when he checked on her. Overcome with grief, Anna breaks down, and Moses holds her, sharing in the sorrow. Henry, filled with quiet sadness, enters the bedroom to pay respects, and the film closes with a powerful flashback of Milla at the beach. She takes a picture of her father and Moses, asking him to look out for Moses after she’s gone. Her final act is capturing a tender image of her parents together—a poignant reminder of the love and life that persisted through such tragedy.