The Front Room

Belinda, an anthropology professor, struggles to engage her indifferent students while dealing with the emotional toll from the stillbirth of her first child, Wallace. As she navigates her pregnancy with her second child, the shadows of her past weigh heavily on her.

After a distressing ultrasound, Belinda and her husband Norman receive a jarring call from Norman's estranged stepmother, Solange. She announces the imminent passing of Norman's father, dredging up old wounds from their fraught family history.

Feeling overwhelmed and unappreciated at work, Belinda makes the difficult decision to quit her job as a professor. This decision marks a pivotal moment in her struggle to find balance while managing her personal and familial challenges.

The couple attends the funeral of Norman's father, a heavy atmosphere compounded by the arrival of Solange. Their complicated history with Solange surfaces, making the familial tensions palpable as the family's dynamics shift dramatically.

At the funeral, it is revealed that Norman's father wished for Solange to live with him and Belinda during her remaining days. This proposition is fraught with irony, as Solange promises to bequeath her possessions to the couple upon her death.

Despite their financial struggles, Belinda reluctantly agrees to let Solange move into their home. The vibrant front room, initially prepared as a nursery, soon transforms into Solange's living space, fueling Belinda's frustrations.

Belinda discovers a Daughters of the Confederacy certificate belonging to Solange, highlighting deep-seated prejudices that overshadow their living arrangement. The atmosphere becomes increasingly uncomfortable as Solange makes derogatory comments about Belinda's cooking and her choice of baby name.

During a particularly intense night, Solange's fervent prayers appear to trigger Belinda into labor. They welcome their daughter, Laurie, but upon returning home, Belinda is confronted by Solange's lingering presence and insensitivity.

A dinner confrontation escalates when Belinda calls Solange out for her racially charged microaggressions. The explosive argument culminates in Belinda pushing Solange down, signaling the deteriorating relationship and the toxic environment.

Solange's manipulative tendencies surface as she pretends to incapacitate herself, leaving Belinda in an emotional upheaval. This manipulation deepens Belinda's despair, forcing her to confront the true nature of their relationship.

Tensions rise further when Pastor Lewis arrives, revealing Solange’s underhanded financial maneuvers regarding their mortgage payments. In a fit of anger, Belinda pours water over Solange in retaliation, marking a pivotal moment of defiance.

Belinda wakes to find marks on Laurie’s arm, indicating that Solange’s behavior has crossed a troubling line. This discovery transforms Solange from a supposed caregiver into a legitimate threat to Belinda and her family.

As the confrontations culminate, Norman finally stands up to Solange about Laurie's bite incident, seeking to protect his family. Unfortunately, Solange's chaotic pleas for death echo through the night, amplifying the already fraught atmosphere.

The following morning, Belinda experiences a moment of relief when she discovers Laurie successfully latching. The moment takes a dark turn when Solange is found lifeless in her room, leaving Belinda to grapple with complex emotions.

Years later, Belinda prepares to move to a new home while pregnant with twins. As she sings 'No Regrets' by Edith Piaf during her job interview, a flashback reveals the haunting memory that she smothered Solange, marking both liberation and lingering trauma.