Ida Melum’s funny and smartly-observed stop-motion short Ovary-Acting takes on one of the most personal and politically charged subjects of our time: the question of whether or not to have children. Following her BAFTA-nominated Night of the Living Dread, Melum once again demonstrates her flair for blending absurd humour with heartfelt storytelling, crafting a film that is as playful as it is poignant. With her distinctive voice, she approaches a universal question through a lens that is irreverent, imaginative, and refreshingly direct.
The narrative centres on Eva, a thirty-something woman attending her sister’s baby shower. Faced with inevitable questions regarding her own plans for motherhood, Eva is thrust into a surreal scenario when confronted by her ovaries that quite literally spring to life, forcing her into a full-blown debate about biology, body autonomy, and the crushing societal expectations placed on women.
With wit and sharp insight, the Ovary-Acting keenly captures the relentless and often contradictory pressures that surround reproductive choice. The film’s dialogue is both humorous and incisive, allowing Melum to explore a serious theme without losing a sense of levity. The stop-motion animation itself is beautifully crafted — detailed, textured, and alive with character. By leaning into absurdity, Melum disarms the audience, making space for empathy and reflection in a conversation that is too often treated as taboo. The humour lands first, but what lingers is the honesty at the film’s core.
The stop-motion animation itself is beautifully crafted — detailed, textured, and alive with character
Ultimately, Ovary-Acting resonates because it feels both deeply personal and strikingly universal. While its message may come across as unapologetically direct, its clarity is part of its power. Melum refuses to treat reproductive choice as a private dilemma whispered behind closed doors. Instead, she stages it as a conversation worth having openly, boldly, and with charm, warmth, and style.
Ovary-Acting resonates because it feels both deeply personal and strikingly universal
Brian Cotter
★★★★★
