Fantastic Film Fest 2025 Review - Salt Along the Tongue

Images courtesy of Original Spin.

In the slightly horrifying yet heartfelt love letter to mothers, Salt Along the Tongue is a film that refuses to be generic. From the script, to the design, to the cinematography and the editing, everything seamlessly forms one of the most thrilling and impressive examples of independent Australian cinema.  

The basic premise of the film surrounds Mattia (Laneikka Denne), landing in the care of her estranged aunt Carol (Dina Panozzo), after her mother suddenly dies. Mattia is then possessed by her mother to protect her from a malevolent spirit that eventually plagues Carol. The story covers the relationship between the sisters, and a secret that begins to come to light as Mattia navigates her grief and confusion. 

Everything within Salt Along the Tongue was intentional. It would be impossible to write about the effect of the film and how it worked to inform a story brimming with complexities without exceeding a respectable word limit. However, one of the more notable mentions is the production style that Malfitano adopts. Offering a nostalgic callback to 2000’s TV, the grainy and comforting visuals vividly contradict the content of the film which amplifies the unnerving horror elements. Additionally, the implementation of colour and lighting produces stunning imagery that reflects the chaos and temperament of the characters and their family. The construction only sought to intensify reality by redefining the horrific and fantastic elements. Malfitano offers images of gore, levitating bodies, and gruesome curses in the same breath as making possession as an act of protection and framing the ‘monstrous feminine’  as something powerful. He reinvents the possibilities of horror and how it can be wielded to communicate the depth and integrity of a story. However, fans of standard horror or gore may find the film lacking in this aspect as Salt Along the Tongue uses elements of the genre but does not aim to characteristically terrify its audience using ordinary jumpscares. 

Malfitano expertly produces a film that is packed with symbolism, appreciation and nuance. It is the type of film that demands to be rewatched to find something new or originally overlooked each time. The love that is clearly given to each scene shines through the entirety of the production, creating an immaculate experience that corresponds to the nature of its story. Simply categorising Salt Along the Tongue as a horror/thriller film truly dilutes the very intentional crafting of the film. The amalgamation of striking visuals, dynamic performances and precise filmmaking offers a haunting commentary on the effects of generational trauma and family secrets. This film is perfect for individuals that enjoy ruminating on the details and love dissecting a story scene by scene. 

Aside from the fact that you may struggle to eat tomatoes for a short period of time, Parish Malfitano’s sophomore film is nothing short of spectacular. 

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Salt Along the Tongue is screening as part of Fantastic Film Festival Australia 2025. The festival runs from the 24th of April to the 16th of May. Check out the festival website for tickets and more info here.