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Eileenis a movie that seems like one thing until it becomes something else.
Worse, she thinks that Lees mother Rita (Marin Ireland) knew about the abuse and facilitated it.
In Ottessa Moshfeghs novel, however, Eileen suspects that something is amiss before she arrives at the house.
Eileen plays along anyway, so the outcome is the same.
The first is more fatalistic, more morbidly curious; the second is more naive.
Each of them affects the characters and their actions, in ways big and small.
But she doesnt seem consciously aware of the possibility that those feelings might be sexual.
Even in her fantasies, Rebecca kisses her hand and says, Youre my best friend.
(Anal penetration, Rebecca solemnly says when Eileen asks her what Lees dad did to him.)
The Bathroom Breaks
One blunt and disgusting thread in Moshfeghs novel involves Eileens laxative-induced bulimia.
And those dont involve diarrhea.
The Escape
In the film version ofEileen, two shots reveal Rita Polks ultimate fate.
First, we see her unconscious body limply banging around the backseat of Eileens car.
Its compassionate, in its way.
The movie ends with a static shot of McKenzie as waves of giddy relief pass over her face.
Here, however, that catharsis is compromised.
In the movie, her role in the crime is a little more ambiguous.
Sure, she could be prosecuted for kidnapping.
Thats assuming that Rebecca actually exists.
If thats true, then the Rebecca who shoots Rita in Moshfeghs novel is also Eileen.
