The beginning of writer/director Christopher Beatty‘s Bibi has a reference to Shirley Jackson’s novel We Have Always Lived in the Castle. The nod to Jackson makes sense because Bibi very much feels like one of Jackson’s works. It’s a contemporary Gothic story that centers on a woman’s psychological state more than anything else. From the setting to the stellar performance by lead actress Elizabeth Paige, who plays the deeply troubled Vivian Ashwood, this feature has plenty of positives.

Vivian’s haunted by the loss her sister, who died when they were kids, due to their domineering father (Logan Hunter). Beatty weaves in a few flashbacks to underscore the important connection between the sisters, the role of the father, and how the profound loss deeply affected Vivian. Still tormented by the events of her childhood, and harboring grief, Vivian resorts to medication and booze. Even her therapist, Dr. Grayson (Rick Zahn), refuses to keep seeing her. More than once, Vivian nearly hangs herself.

To complicate matters, Vivian’s daughter, Bibi (Judith Ann DiMinni), begins exhibiting strange behavior. The reasons for this aren’t really known until fairly late in the movie, but it does eventually make sense. Even worse, a strange intruder haunts the mom and daughter. There’s a lot of ways to read what the intruder represents. It could be Vivian imagining her father, or the intruder could be linked to Bibi’s story and the plot twist that eventually arrives. Either way, the intruder can be seen as a manifestation of the deeper psychological issues that both Bibi and Vivian have.

I mentioned that much of this feels like Shirley Jackson’s fiction. In particular, the film resembles the novels The Bird’s Nest and The Haunting of Hill House, specifically the protagonist Eleanor Vance. Moreso than some of Jackson’s other works, these novels deal with a woman’s fragile psychological state. In the case of Hill House, Eleanor is tormented by memories of her mother and the strained relationship they had. This is much like Vivian and her father. It shades everything that Vivian sees and feels in the present.

Additionally, Vivian’s house is remote, set in a rural location. It feels isolating, with shadowy hallways and massive rooms. The land looks sprawling. The art direction, cinematography, and costume designs all deserve accolades. This film simply looks gorgeous. The performances are great, too. Paige really knocks it out of the park in the lead role, and DiMinni does a good job as well.  Meanwhile, Tammy Blanchard plays neighbor Nancy, who knew Vivian since she was a kid. Nancy comes across as one of those small-town, nosy characters, another staple of Shirley Jackson’s fiction. Blanchard’s performance is another highlight.

While Bibi is a bit of a slow burn, the ending is worth the wait. The film’s Gothic tones are captivating, and there’s not a dull performance in this feature. This film is a gripping thriller that resembles a Shirley Jackson story in terms of theme, emphasis on the psychological, and focus on the domestic space.