Watch The Surrogate

The Surrogate is a 2020 American drama film directed by Jeremy Hersh and starring Jasmine Batchelor, Chris Perfetti, and Sullivan Jones. The movie follows Jess (Jasmine Batchelor), a woman who agrees to become a surrogate mother for her best friend Josh (Chris Perfetti) and his husband Aaron (Sullivan Jones). During the pregnancy, a prenatal test reveals that the fetus will be born with Down syndrome. This leads Jess and the couple to question their beliefs and confront their fears about disability and parenthood.

The movie opens with Jess, a black woman in her late 20s, meeting with her best friend Josh and his husband Aaron to discuss their surrogacy plan. Both men are white and work as teachers. They explain that they have been trying to have a baby through adoption and fertility treatments, but have been unsuccessful. Jess initially refuses their offer, citing the physical and emotional toll of carrying a child for nine months. However, when she sees how disappointed they are, she changes her mind and agrees to be their surrogate.

As the pregnancy progresses, Jess becomes more and more attached to the baby growing inside of her. She starts to feel conflicted about giving the child away after it's born. Her feelings are further complicated when a prenatal test reveals that the baby will be born with Down syndrome. Josh and Aaron are devastated by the news and consider terminating the pregnancy. Jess, on the other hand, is hesitant to support this decision and begins to question their beliefs about disability.

The movie then delves into the ethics of disability and parenthood. Jess visits a support group for parents of children with Down syndrome and meets several families who share their experiences. She also reads books and watches videos about the subject. Meanwhile, Josh and Aaron struggle to come to terms with the diagnosis and fear that their child will suffer from discrimination and limited opportunities. The three main characters have heated debates about the decision to keep or terminate the pregnancy, which lead to some poignant and emotional moments.

The Surrogate is a thought-provoking movie that challenges viewers to reexamine their views on disability, parenthood, and choice. It doesn't offer easy answers or take sides, but rather presents various perspectives and allows the audience to form their own opinions. The performances of the three leads are outstanding, especially that of Jasmine Batchelor as Jess, who carries the movie with her heartfelt portrayal of a woman grappling with a complex moral dilemma. The cinematography is also noteworthy, featuring intimate close-ups and natural lighting that create a sense of intimacy and authenticity.

In addition to exploring the theme of disability, The Surrogate also touches on issues of race and sexuality. The fact that Jess is a black woman carrying a child for two white men adds another layer of complexity to the story. The movie also depicts the challenges that LGBTQ couples face when starting a family, such as the financial burden of fertility treatments and the legal obstacles of adoption.

Overall, The Surrogate is a powerful and moving film that raises important questions about empathy, diversity, and inclusion. It invites us to step outside of our comfort zones and empathize with people who are different from us. This movie is a must-see for anyone who loves thought-provoking dramas and complex characters.

The Surrogate is a 2020 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 73.