The Mafu Cage

The events take place in a contemporary, late 20th-century milieu in Los Angeles and its environs. The household sits at the intersection of science, art, and a fragile family bond. The setting conveys a modern, urban atmosphere where psychological tension plays out in an intimate home.

The story unfolds in the Hollywood Hills house and its surrounding Los Angeles setting, with the Griffith Observatory serving as a scientific hub for Ellen’s work. The sisters’ home doubles as a stage for intense, unstable dynamics driven by Cissy’s volatility and Ellen’s restraint. A work trip takes Ellen to Arizona, expanding the geographic footprint beyond the city into desert landscapes.

👪 Family Dynamics

Two sisters share a close yet toxic bond that drives much of the drama. Ellen’s rational, restrained approach clashes with Cissy’s volatile attachment to her sister. The relationship veers into manipulation, jealousy, and coercive control, culminating in tragedy.

🧠 Mental Illness

Cissy’s fragile mental state and episodic outbursts drive the plot. Her childlike dependence on Ellen makes boundaries perilous and unstable. The film explores how mental illness can distort perception and fuel dangerous actions.

🔒 Control and Violence

Cissy’s need to dominate extends to the people around her, culminating in the capture and killing of David. The mafu cage becomes a literal symbol of confinement and power. Tension builds as control fractures into murder and a deadly stalemate.