PLOT
Irena's job in the family
What is a nanny?
The young girl at the center of Irena’s obsession
Who is Tea?
Irena working as a cleaner
What is invisibility of migrants?
One major risk faced by migrant women in the film
What is exploitation / trafficking?
Irena’s actions are driven more by this than logic
What is trauma?
Irena doesn’t randomly meet the family, she does this first
What is gaining access to the apartment building?
This character’s return brings Irena’s past back violently
Who is Muffa?
The apartment building
What is social hierarchy / separation?
Irena’s attachment to Tea shows this central theme
What is a search for motherhood / emotional connection?
The film presents motherhood as this type of connection
What is emotional, not biological?
The country Irena comes from
What is Ukraine?
Irena’s role in Italy can best be described as this
What is a migrant / outsider?
The repeated flashbacks throughout the film
What is trauma that never leaves?
Irena’s past continuing to affect her present represents this
What is trauma?
The twist transforms the film from a thriller into this
What is a tragedy?
The film suggests migration leads to this feeling
What is lack of belonging?
The wealthy family mainly represents this idea
What is stability / privilege / normal life?
Tea
What is lost motherhood / hope?
The film suggests migrants are only noticed when they do this
What is disrupting the system / causing a problem?
The audience’s opinion of Irena changes because of this technique
What is flashbacks?
The major twist reveals this about Irena’s belief
What is Tea is not her daughter?
Irena’s identity shifts throughout the film between these two roles
What is victim and villain?
Muffa
What is control / exploitation / trafficking/ systemic violence?
Even inside the home, Irena still lacks this
What is belonging?
The film forces viewers into this uncomfortable position
What is questioning morality / moral ambiguity?