Israeli Film 'My One and Only' Blends Alien Invasion, Exorcism, and Religious Themes in Unique Debut
The Israeli film "My One and Only," directed and written by debut filmmaker David Tauber, premiered in cinemas this week after being showcased at last year's Jerusalem Film Festival and nominated for an Ophir Award for best editing. The film, which did not receive widespread attention prior to its release, offers an unusual blend of genres and themes rarely seen in Israeli cinema. It combines elements of supernatural horror, religious folklore, and romantic comedy within a story centered on a community of baalei teshuva (returnees to religious observance).
The plot follows Shira (Talia Bartfeld), a young baalat teshuva who claims her husband Noam (Nadav Antman Ron) has been replaced by a doppelganger. Parallel to this, the film explores the lives of Gaia (Inbal Raz), preparing for her wedding, and Hali (Ella Armoni), a waitress caring for her mother with dementia. The narrative incorporates Talmudic teachings on predestined and chosen marriage, exorcism performed by a former university lecturer turned demon expeller (Zohar Strauss), and even a grandmother’s story involving an alien encounter.
Tauber’s film stands out for its unique cinematic language and refusal to follow a linear storyline, instead weaving multiple subplots and tonal shifts that range from supernatural thriller to romantic comedy. The film also challenges traditional portrayals of religious life by focusing on the female experience of marital anxiety and the tension between fate and free will. Despite its creative ambition, some narrative threads remain underdeveloped, such as the connection between certain characters and the motivations behind their transformations.
Notably, "My One and Only" is screened only before the start of Shabbat, a rare practice since the 2004 film "Ushpizin." The film received support from the Shomron Fund, which may deter some viewers. However, critics appreciate the film’s fresh voice in Israeli cinema, particularly in its spiritual and religious themes, and its bold departure from conventional storytelling. Tauber’s work is seen as a significant, if imperfect, contribution that pushes Israeli religious cinema into new, unexpected directions.
