In this review, we delve into ‘Maddie’s Secret,’ a film that blends comedy with a serious exploration of eating disorders, showcasing John Early’s directorial debut.
‘Maddie’s Secret’ Review: A Heartfelt Exploration of Eating Disorders
“Maddie’s Secret” is likely not what you expect. Comedian John Early’s directorial debut, ostensibly a pastiche of basic-cable TV movies, transcends parody or satire to deliver a devastatingly sincere high melodrama with a studied queer sensibility.
Early stars as the eponymous Maddie Ralph, a dishwasher at Gourmaybe, a food content production company. She’s sweet, hard-working, and a brilliant chef. Everyone in the film recognizes her talent; her lesbian best friend (Kate Berlant) and her boyfriend (Eric Rahill of the magnificent “Rap World”) can’t help but dote on her. One day, she becomes the new face of Gourmaybe after one of her signature vegetarian recipes goes viral. However, the stress of her new job, a significant opportunity to impress the executive producers of “The Boar,” and her mother’s critical voice lead her to regress into bulimia. In her attempts to hide her eating disorder, Maddie begins to unravel.
There is no scenario in which “Maddie’s Secret” wouldn’t be funny. If you were to list the most exciting people in comedy over the past decade, the cast would include Kate Berlant, Vanessa Bayer, and Connor O’Malley. The film features a memorable running gag about Better Help, and Maddie’s home is filled with incredible sight gags. Berlant’s every movement elicits uproarious laughter. Even when it’s not strictly comedic, the dialogue is delivered with the hyper-expressive broadness reminiscent of the after-school specials that inspired it. Yet, what stands out most is the film’s straightforward sincerity. Early never mocks Maddie or allows the audience to snicker at her struggles. Instead, “Maddie’s Secret” offers a tender portrayal of wellness culture and feminine self-image.
The film shares more in common with “All That Heaven Allows” and “Showgirls” than with “They Came Together” or “The Naked Gun.” A shot of Maddie’s mother reflected in a television screen directly references Sirk’s classic. The film is visually stunning, with a color grade reminiscent of Nicholas Ray’s films on a CRT. It embodies camp in its true sense—using aesthetic hysteria and unreal dramaturgy in low-brow modes to pursue greater honesty.
While it tackles many themes, this film primarily addresses bulimia, an epidemic that devastates countless young girls and ensnares many in a lifelong cycle of suffering. It treats eating disorders as a serious and universally crushing experience. Although the psychoanalytic rationale may occasionally feel trite, it remains astute and compassionate. As the narrative progresses into an inpatient facility, “Maddie’s Secret” subtly shifts to an ultra-real tone. Yes, it’s amusing to meet an adult woman at the hospital who decorates her room with posters of boys and talks excessively. However, it’s also heartbreaking, especially as I recall a real girl I once knew. Watching these women struggle against institutional infantilization and a culturally instructed emotional regulation that harms them was profoundly moving.
None of this would resonate without Early’s profound love for women. He portrays Maddie with the grace of a mid-century diva, wearing a blond wig that feels authentic, complete with untamed flyaways. When Maddie visits a radically inclusive dance studio, Early seems to welcome the girls from his past, granting them space within his art. He respects melodrama’s ability to capture intense despair and beauty. The film believes that young women with eating disorders deserve such a grand canvas, neither fetishizing nor martyring them. The climax, where Maddie confronts her mother about her childhood, is a genuine show-stopper, made impactful by the trust Early and his team build with the audience over the preceding hour and a half. It’s a film of real kindness.
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In today’s indie scene, it’s rare to encounter something genuinely exciting. I’ve become desensitized to genre mashups and the unearned swagger of poorly executed experimental cinematography. “Maddie’s Secret” has renewed my hope that this corner of the industry can explore new avenues beyond what is merely edgy or trendy. It’s an exceptionally accomplished debut and one of the boldest American films I’ve seen in years.
Grade: A-
“Maddie’s Secret” premiered at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival and is currently seeking U.S. distribution.
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