Full Breakdown
Israeli Film “My One and Only” Blends Mysticism and Domestic Drama
8/16/2026, 3:03:27 AM
Plot Overview
“My One and Only” follows a young mother, Shira (Talya Bartfeld Diskin), who becomes convinced that her husband Noam (Nadav Antman Ron) has been replaced by an imposter. She confides in her rabbi’s wife, Miri (Navit Sitbon), who suggests a psychiatric evaluation. The psychiatrist, Zohar Strauss, has turned mystic and performs exorcisms, while Shira’s doubts are mirrored in parallel storylines involving a secular bride-to-be, Gaia (Inbal Raz), and a waitress, Heli (Ella Armony), whose mother may be possessed. The narrative repeatedly raises the question of whether supernatural forces or ordinary marital strain are at work, culminating in a scene where the actresses playing Heli and Gaia exchange roles.
Production History
Director Tauber created the film with his wife, producer Eliya Tauber, over a ten-year period. The project was financed and developed largely within the family, which now includes four children. The movie opened in theaters across Israel shortly after completion.
Principal Cast and Crew
- Talya Bartfeld Diskin – Shira, the central mother-wife.
- Navit Sitbon – Miri, the rabbi’s wife who urges Shira to seek help.
- Nadav Antman Ron – Noam, the husband whose identity is questioned.
- Inbal Raz – Gaia, a secular woman exploring Jewish texts.
- Yoel Rosenkier – Idan, Gaia’s fiancé.
- Ella Armony – Heli, a waitress caring for a senile mother.
- Shimon Mimran – appears as Miri’s husband in a supporting scene.
- Zohar Strauss – the mystic psychiatrist.
- Shosha Goren – Shira’s grandmother, who offers a folklore-laden explanation for husband replacement.
Critical Reception
The Jerusalem Post review characterizes the film as an ambitious blend of Jewish mysticism and a “David Lynch-style” aesthetic. The critique suggests that the device distracts rather than deepens the thematic exploration of identity and replacement.
Themes and Audience Impact
The film intertwines supernatural speculation with everyday marital frustrations, inviting viewers to consider whether perceived “possession” reflects deeper relational neglect. By juxtaposing mystical explanations with secular skepticism, the narrative aims to resonate with audiences familiar with both Torah study and contemporary domestic concerns, though the review notes that the execution sometimes undermines narrative cohesion.
