Film news - The World to Come UK Release Date. Find out more at UK Film Review. The World to Come UK Release Date Chris Olson Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 12:53:52 PM GMT+1 The World to Come Trailer & UK Release Date THE WORLD TO COME , starring Katherine Waterston , Vanessa Kirby , Christopher Abbott and Casey Affleck , and directed by Mona Fastvold , which comes to UK cinemas on Friday, July 23 . In this frontier romance framed by the four seasons and set against the backdrop of rugged terrain, Abigail (Katherine Waterston), a farmer’s wife, and her new neighbour Tallie (Vanessa Kirby) find themselves powerfully, irrevocably drawn to each other. As grieving Abigail tends to the needs of her taciturn husband Dyer (Casey Affleck) and Tallie bristles at the jealous control of her husband Finney (Christopher Abbot), both women are illuminated and liberated by their intense bond, filling a void in their lives they never knew existed. Director Mona Fastvold (The Sleepwalker, co-writer of CHILDHOOD OF A LEADER and VOX LUX ) examines the interior lives of two women resisting constraints, giving voice to their experiences. Scripted by Jim Shepard and Ron Hansen (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford), THE WORLD TO COME explores how isolation is overcome by the power of imagination and human connection. Directed by Mona Fastvold; Screenplay by Ron Hansen & Jim Shepard; Based Upon the Original Story “The World to Come” by Jim Shepard; Produced by Casey Affleck; Produced by Whitaker Lader; Produced by Pamela Koffler, David Hinojosa; Produced by Margarethe Baillou; Director of Photography André Chemetoff; Production Designer Jean Vincent Puzos; Editor Dávid Jancsó, H.S.E.; Costume Designer Lumini a Lungu ța Lungu; Music by Daniel Blumberg; Music Supervisor Tracy McKnight. THE WORLD TO COME is only at UK cinemas Friday, July 23. 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Beating Superbugs Better: Can We Win? film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Tom Patterson, Steffanie Strathdee, Timothy Lu, Ramanan Laxminarayan directed by William Mudge. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Beating Superbugs Better: Can We Win? Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Jan 10, 2023 Directed by: William Mudge Written by: Jean Mudge Starring: Tom Patterson, Steffanie Strathdee, Timothy Lu, Ramanan Laxminarayan An informative documentary about bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, which are also called superbugs. There are certain bacteria that are immune to medicines, which makes treatment harder and therefore increases the possibility of death and disease spread. Through interviews with experts on bacteria and animation, this film explores in depth how these bacteria are created, how they spread and what is being done in order to fight them and the results are intriguing and worrying. It is revealed that millions of people around the world lose their lives to these bacteria and that if solutions are not found, the consequences will be severe. A number of the most hazardous bacteria are examined, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile (C. diff) and Tuberculosis. The film looks into how these diseases affect people through the use of animation that involves bacteria and molecules and through interviews of individuals who have suffered and recovered from the bacteria. The former patient interviewees include Tom Patterson, who was infected while travelling in Egypt and he, along with his wife Steffanie Strathdee and the other survivors share their dramatic experiences. Apart from the survivors, the list of interviewees includes Global Economist Jim O'Neill, Antibiotic Developer and Infectious Disease Expert John Rex and other experts whose knowledge puts together an image of the global situation with superbugs. There are often animated sequences that involve 3D Animation and they (along with the voice-over that is provided by Fiona M. Hughes) are quite helpful in understanding how bacteria work. William Mudge also worked on the creative editing and the result is great and even better with the addition of Christopher Rife's music. This is certainly an interesting documentary that is also shocking due to the revelations that it contains. It raises awareness of antimicrobial resistance and points out that its occurs mainly because of people's irresponsible actions and suggests that efforts are required from everyone in order to prevent bacteria from spreading. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Indie Feature Film, Documentary < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Cubic Zirconia film review by UK film critic Chris Olson. Starring Keith Lamont Johnson, Kate Mobley, Carter Nelms directed by Jaron Lockridge. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Cubic Zirconia Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Chris Olson | Posted on: Nov 25, 2024 Directed by: Jaron Lockridge Written by: Jaron Lockridge Starring: Keith Lamont Johnson, Kate Mobley, Carter Nelms Brimming with tension and superbly directed, filmmaker Jaron Lockridge’s crime drama Cubic Zirconia transcends the frills and spills of the genre to deliver us something more potently human. Keith Lamont Johnson stars as Bobby Clarke, a Tennessee detective investigating the recent disappearance of local woman Tamara. Once the latter’s body is discovered, Bobby is joined by a fellow detective from another agency Natalie Brim (Kate Mobley) in a race against time to locate Tamara’s children, who are also missing. Tone can be everything when it comes to crime dramas and Cubic Zirconia has that understated grit of a show like True Detective . Writer and director Jaron Lockridge knows how to create an engulfing atmosphere that audiences will effortlessly slip into whilst this intelligently plotted story unfolds. Whilst the sum of all parts may seem humble, the result is a fantastic example of movie-making that prioritises great storytelling and performances. Keith Lamont Johnson is simply sensational in the leading role. His character is given a brilliant backstory which emotionally connects us with where he’s at in the present day and Lamont Johnson handles this emotional depth with deft skill. His interaction with the supporting cast is great and his chemistry with Mobley fashions an engaging onscreen partnership for viewers to enjoy. Mobley herself gives a splendid turn as the tactful yet passionate partner to Bobby and has plenty of great scenes throughout the movie. Some of the set designs and location choices let the movie down a little - this could have been a budgetary restriction - such as a tub of ice cream that needed its name blurred out (likely for copyright reasons) and a few of the “press” scenes which looked a little flat with the characters standing against a wall and no pans around the room to see the journalists. That being said, they were necessary scenes to give the investigation weight and were only small moments that may jerk the audience out of the brilliant atmosphere that is curated by the filmmakers. The story has plenty of well-written characters and believable scenes, enhancing the credibility of this crime drama. Plaudits to Carter Nelms who plays Jeff, the father of the missing girls, whose anguished scenes and intense behaviour are mesmerising to watch. Fans of strong crime dramas will be in their element here and the movie has a wide general appeal for great storytelling, fantastic characters, and an engaging plot that builds wonderful momentum through each act. Give us a franchise of Bobby solving mysteries with Lamont Johnson in the role and Lockridge at the helm and we will be happy campers. Now watch our Video Film Review of Cubic Zirconia . Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Chris Olson Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Merah film review by UK film critic Swati Verma. Starring Dilakonkan Oleh, Charlene Jane, Herlea Titieanna directed by Wan Dinnie. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Merah Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: Swati Verma | Posted on: Aug 27, 2021 Directed by: Wan Dinnie Written by: Wan Dinnie Starring: Dilakonkan Oleh, Charlene Jane, Herlea Titieanna The short film Merah has a black and white theme to it. The color pallet used in the cinematic piece helps highlight the "red" used to depict bullying. The red color holds connotations of evil and danger. The film deals with the issue of bullying. It has a strong messaging incorporated in the plot that can get the audience to act against bullying. It also showcases the need to protect and fight for the physical and mental well -being by standing up with honesty. The story is about a female student who is bullied at school by two girls. The lead character is left crying each time they harass her. The little girl finds peace and solace in the art of sketching. This time the girl she drew on paper comes out of it to help the central character stand up against the bullies. It pushes one of the bullies and slaps her for the wrongdoings against the lead. Both the trouble makers run away while they ask for forgiveness. The main character sees blood on her hand and realizes that she has slapped the girl. The girl who stood by her side all this long was just her imagination. The girl coming out of the drawing could signify the inner soul of the student. It wants her to be strong and fight against this societal evil that children of all ages are experiencing daily. No one from the cast and crew of this movie supports or promotes violence. The slap towards the close of the film indicates that the director wants to illustrate that the lead character did not have any option but to resort to the extreme step to teach bullies a lesson. The director Wan Dinnie uses visual storytelling in a segment when the young woman comes out of the drawing. He has used Rotoscope animation to make the sketch come to reality in the film. This skill is used in the script so that the viewers believe in the character for the running time of the film. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Swati Verma Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Anniversary film review by UK film critic Hope Madden. Starring Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, Madeline Brewer directed by Jan Komasa. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Anniversary Film Review average rating is 2 out of 5 Critic: Hope Madden | Posted on: Oct 28, 2025 Directed by: Jan Komasa Written by: Lori Rosene-Gambino, Jan Komasa Starring: Diane Lane, Kyle Chandler, Madeline Brewer Jan Komasa’s political thriller Anniversary certainly boasts an impressive cast. Diane Lane leads the film as Ellen Taylor, a Georgetown professor celebrating her 25th wedding anniversary to renowned DC chef, Paul (Kyle Chandler). Their four children will be there: high schooler Birdie (Mckenna Grace), famous comic Anna (Madeline Brewer), environmental lawyer Cynthia (Zoey Deutch) and her husband (Daryl McCormack), and beloved son who never made much of himself, Josh (Dylan O’Brien). Plus, Josh brought new girlfriend, Liz (Phoebe Dynevor). That one can’t be trusted. Komasa crafts a “they have it all” opening to prepare us for the inevitable downfall. Ellen and Paul truly love each other, and their bickering kids love them and each other as well. But there’s an invasive species at their garden party, and no matter how strong Ellen believes her family to be, bad stuff is coming. To Komasa’s credit, his script—co-written with Lori Rosene-Gambino—is no pulpy thriller about a vixen corrupting a family. True to the filmmaker’s previous output (Corpus Cristi, Suicide Room ), Anniversary dives into the large scale and intimate damage one persuasive but errant prophet can do. Liz has a belief system encapsulated in her new book, “The Change.” It advocates that the people, passionate and unified, step beyond this broken democracy and create a single party that will redefine the country’s future. What transpires between Ellen and Paul’s 25th and 30th anniversary parties is a debilitatingly likely image of America’s near future. The ensemble works wonders with slightly written characters. Komasa and Rosene-Gambino outline the insidious evolution with clarity, but the tale is too superficial to mean much. It’s a very talky script, yet very few questions are answered. Anniversary is entirely vague on the actual philosophy of “The Change”, making it tough know what people cling to and what the Taylors reject. Worse, character arcs exist exclusively to further the plot. Deutch bears the worst of this, but everything in the film—especially the character development—is tell, don’t show. Aside from O’Brien’s, no arc is character driven. Each is plot driven and some are absurd. Dynevor fares best, carving out a memorable, broken antagonist, a delicate survivor not to be trusted. She and Lane are formidable as antagonist and protagonist, but Anniversary doesn’t know exactly what to do with them. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Hope Madden Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Curtain Call film review by UK film critic Jason Knight. Starring Gary Samolin, Roxanne Halley, Shawn Richard, Kiara Ariza Stellato, Huw Jennings, Tom Dray, Craig Sturrock directed by Harrison Winter Altmann. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Curtain Call Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Jason Knight | Posted on: Feb 21, 2025 Directed by: Harrison Winter Altmann Written by: Imogen Fennessy, Harrison Winter Altmann Starring: Gary Samolin, Roxanne Halley, Shawn Richard, Kiara Ariza Stellato, Huw Jennings, Tom Dray, Craig Sturrock A short comedy drama from Australia directed by Harrison Winter Altmann, written by Altmann and Imogen Fennessy and starring Gary Samolin, Roxanne Halley, Shawn Richard, Kiara Ariza Stellato and Huw Jennings. It is opening night at a community theatre and the cast and crew are busy getting ready for the big show. Among them is seasoned actor Grant (Samolin), who makes things difficult for others with his unkind behaviour, criticizing those around him and playing the superior. As he walks around the theatre and backstage, he encounters a variety of characters, including Bella (Halley), the stage manager, Tommy (Richard), a young actor trying to balance his work in the theatre with his coursework and Laura (Stellato) and Kyle (Jennings), two performers who are in a relationship. These poor people have to endure Grant's demands and rude comments. Perhaps the aspect that stands out the most is that this film was filmed in one continuous take lasting just under twenty minutes and the result is quite impressive, be it the strong performances or the creative camerawork that primarily involves following Grant through the theatre. Regarding the screenplay, it does a good job exploring the characters and maintaining an intriguing story. Since the plot takes place inside a theatre, with the cast and crew as protagonists who are getting ready for a play, one might think of the 2014 Academy Award-winning feature Birdman , the entirety of which was made to appear as one long take. Fans of this feature are likely to appreciate the creativity in Curtain Call , whose music also resembles that of Birdman , mostly because of the drums. If one was to state something negative regarding this short, it would probably be hard to think of one. The acting is superb, the screenplay is strong and it was filmed very skilfully. It would be difficult to imagine how this project could had been better. Samolin is the main protagonist and he plays a narcissistic and inconsiderate ageing actor, who does not think twice when it comes to saying what he is thinking, with complete disregard for how he affects other people's feelings. He values his profession and believes he is better than everyone else. Stellato and Jennings stand out as performers who are also a couple, although their relationship is unstable and they argue quite a bit. Regarding Richard, he comes across as kind of quiet and reserved, a guy for whom theatre might not be a passion. Narcissism is a major theme in this story and so is self-reflection and relationships and prospects are also involved. From a different perspective, the film provides an insight into the lives of actors and what working in a theatre is like. It could be argued that this film focuses primarily on character study rather than the plot and that works very well. The strong acting, the creative and impressive camerawork and the themes make this short a work of great standards. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Jason Knight Short Film, World Cinema < All Reviews Next Film Review >

The Chocolate Club film review by UK film critic William Hemingway. Starring Kate Edney, Josh Taylor, Julian Lewis Jones, Craig Russell, Aiden Kane, Susannah Edgley, Nigel Billing, Claire Hingott directed by Deborah Hadfield. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS The Chocolate Club Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: William Hemingway | Posted on: Jul 20, 2025 Directed by: Deborah Hadfield Written by: Deborah Hadfield Starring: Kate Edney, Josh Taylor, Julian Lewis Jones, Craig Russell, Aiden Kane, Susannah Edgley, Nigel Billing, Claire Hingott A group of middle-aged depressives in Cornwall get together to form a support group, nominally over their shared loved of chocolate. It’s seems that despite the great weather, top-of-the-line housing stock, and fresh sea air, everybody in Cornwall is depressed, or at least wants to go there to be depressed. As such, after a chance meeting in a café (where it’s £3.50 for a cup of tea!!), a bunch of Cornwall folk decide to get together in a shared space to discuss their respective problems and get fat over pounds and pounds of chocolate. Rose (Edney) has returned from the Big Smoke following a break-up, with her best friend Simon (Russell) there to comfort her, while she spends time working out who she is as well as reminiscing over her dead grandmother. Dean (Kane) has joined up with his widower father, George (Billing) in the hope that it’ll get him out of the house and away from the bottle. Oscar (Taylor) appears homeless and just needs a place to be, Annette (Edgley) is a nurse and a Christian, who finds it hard to relate what she takes on every day, and Carrie (Hingott) is just there for the hell of it really, well, that and the chocolate, of course. All of this is led by therapist Stephen (Lewis Jones), who believes that love, which includes self-love first, is the answer to everyone’s problems, along with a little bit of sharing, a good dollop of support and kindness, and a whole smorgasbord of chocolate related items. And so, The Chocolate Club is born. Over the next hundred minutes, The Chocolate Club get together to have it out over some cocoa, and get to know each other along the way. There’s the usual intrigue of the will they/won’t they relationships, the banishing of ghosts which have lived too long in the memory, the moving on from tragedy, and the blossoming of unlikely heroes to witness as we spend time at the club. And there’s chocolate, plenty of it, in all forms, it even finds form in the dialogue when the characters have nothing else to say to each other, which happens far more often than it should. So with premise disguised as therapy, and a tenuous common link established, The Chocolate Club can set about tangling and untangling all of its threads for an hour and a half, selling its Hallmark TV messages of love and kindness and the magic of the holidays, all while trying to make its characters not seem like cookie-cutter stereotypes that have just been flown in on an industry stooge’s typewriter. Unfortunately, writer/director Deborah Hadfield never really manages this, and the members of The Chocolate Club remain restrained in romcom trope hell, with everyone going through the motions of their well-trodden arcs so that the audience can eventually get their happy-ending serotonin hit. That’s not to say that the journey isn’t enjoyable. First, there’s the stunning Cornwall coastline to marvel at, with some great drone photography providing plenty of establishing shots and interludes of the waves crashing, to show it off in all of its natural glory. There’s some pretty nice music going on in the background, accompanying many of the scenes with some proper, home-grown, indie tracks that fit right in with the visuals and the scenario. And the acting’s pretty good, too, with everyone falling naturally into their characters to offer a realistic portrayal of regular people, with regular lives, coming together to help each other. Sadly, the production never lifts at any point beyond Sunday TV movie standard, and the motivations of each character remain too lightly on the surface, despite the veneer of supposedly working through difficult problems. The conversations never feel as though they are really digging down into any real trauma and throughout the film there’s never even a hint at any actual drama. In the end, The Chocolate Club ends up being schmalzy, twee, and predictable, with there being a million other movies out there just like this one, still, if you like your movies to be saccharine and sickly sweet, you should find enough to keep you satisfied. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic William Hemingway Digital / DVD Release, Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

This Is Only a Test film review by UK film critic James Learoyd. Starring Tamar Pelzig, Mason Heidger, Jennie Epland directed by Bill Sorice . HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS This Is Only a Test Film Review average rating is 3 out of 5 Critic: James Learoyd | Posted on: Jun 13, 2024 Directed by: Bill Sorice Written by: Bill Sorice Starring: Tamar Pelzig, Mason Heidger, Jennie Epland This Is Only a Test is a short film which could very well leave viewers slightly stumped. It’s a Surrealist piece which tells the story of a woman’s ever-changing life, with a focus on this motif of ‘tests’. Despite being purposefully bizarre and disorientating, what’s perhaps more striking is just how nihilistic the narrative becomes. Besides being a Surrealist work, it’s also made strangely - there are technical mishaps throughout, but I’ll elaborate on which of these in fact work within the logic of the movie and which do not. There’s some fascinating, deeply meaningful stuff in this dream-like odyssey, both thematically and stylistically, so we should question what ‘imperfections’ provide further aesthetic context to the work. I am speaking primarily of its unsettling use of greenscreen. It’s implemented constantly – to a point where it leaves you questioning why they would need to artificially impose a janky image of an empty room; why not actually film it? - Not only this, but it’s noticeably shoddy with the edges of characters fading off into a disconcerting fuzz. It could really throw you off as a viewer; however, its inclusion is so prominent that its quirky effect most likely is a unique artistic decision. One should probably admire its creatively brazen nature, though its ugliness is something one can equally point a finger at. Either way, the phenomenon certainly adds a Brechtian layer of artifice and experimentation to the already abstract story, and I can’t help but commend it. Formal qualities like the editing and cinematography are equally unconventional and further inform this vision. So, let’s delve more into the narrative itself. We begin with some amusing images of our protagonist applying condoms to what appears to be a broom handle (this certainly sets the tone for the rest of the picture). It then proceeds to depict our main character at various job interviews / auditions, and progresses all the way to old age – with some quite amusing fake gray hair to go along with it, once again adding to that audacious artifice. As tragedies befall the character, the film’s dark sense of humour shines through. The overall messaging is deeply pessimistic – the last shot simply evokes ‘death is all that remains’ - so the filmmaker’s vision is admirably unflinching. There’s a real vision behind it all even if sometimes it doesn’t wholly translate. But it goes without saying that there are countless characteristics to admire in This Is Only a Test for its artistic ambition cannot be oversighted. Lovers of Surrealism (myself included) are also surely to have a lot of fun with the sporadic nature of the filmmaking, and the profound content. Surrealism is undoubtedly my favourite ‘genre’ to discuss analytically, so the more made the better as far as I’m concerned. The film in question is absolutely a welcome addition to the practice of experimental movie making and makes one wish to explore the director’s other work, just to see whether they still reflect the same sense of filmic nihilism. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic James Learoyd Short Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Wicked: For Good film review by UK film critic Chris Olson. Starring Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh directed by Jon M. Chu. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Wicked: For Good Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Chris Olson | Posted on: Nov 18, 2025 Directed by: Jon M. Chu Written by: Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox, Gregory Maguire Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh It doesn’t feel like it’s been a clock-tick since the first Wicked film reigned supreme over the box office and cinema listings, yet here we are with a superbly realised sequel (although this feels more like a continuation) that gets deeper and darker into the stories from the land of Oz and is likely to be a behemoth to contend with for 2025’s biggest film. SPOILER WARNING Following the conclusion of Wicked (2024), the powerful witch Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) is now public enemy number one across the land, fighting a losing battle for hearts and minds to try and convince Oz’s population that the “Wonderful Wizard” (Jeff Goldblum) is actually a lying trickster. Her efforts to free persecuted animals and reveal the ingrained deception of Oz’s most powerful get skillfully skewed by Madame Horrible (Michelle Yeoh) and those in charge, leading to widespread fearmongering and propaganda to create a villain that unites everyone against Elphaba. Our emerald green heroine is not completely alone, however, with her ex-schoolmate Glinda (Ariana Grande) trying desperately to placate both sides and bring Elphaba back into the fold, whilst also developing her own cult following as a magical, bubble-riding witch (one that sadly can’t do any magic). SPOILER FREE FROM HERE To say it’s mostly more of the same feels disrespectful to Wicked: For Good , however, this is meant as a feel-good compliment. This second instalment carries across the same gorgeous aesthetics, captivating performances, and vivid cinematography that make it an absolute cinematic must-see for 2025 (and 2026 most likely). The storyline gets deeper and darker, and there are some excellent moments where the original Wizard of Oz characters get woven in and out of this tale, which are handled expertly. The sublime choreography of the dance sequences pays great tribute to Wicked’s origins as a popular stage musical, and the songs here are just as good as the first movie. The costume design is also the best of the year - an insanely talented team here. Ariane Grande’s comic timing is just as appealing as her incredible voice, and it’s a shame in the sequel, we get less of it. A standout scene where she mocks Elphaba’s newfound cackle elicited uproarious laughter in the screening I attended. She also enhances many of the musical numbers where the counterpart is maybe lacking, looking at you, Goldblum and Yeoh. Cynthia Erivo is the beating heart of this film, masterfully balancing the need for drama, romance, spectacle, tension and comedy (sometimes all in one scene). There are several moments within Wicked: For Good where sleight of hand gets applied, and characters are magically transported - a particularly great scene involves Glinda and some mirrors, which was really impressive to see realised onscreen. It’s a shame some of the CGI animals and backdrops weren’t as arresting, but viewers who didn’t have a problem with the first film will certainly be engaged in the second. By exploring themes of a post-truth world, this second entry feels far more potent than the first (which was more of a teen high-school movie at times). There’s a political activism in Wicked: For Good that allows the film to feel heartier, somewhat more noble. Combine this with the simply outstanding fantasy world that’s been created and the incredible lead actresses, and it’s a crying shame we can’t click our heels three times and get a third movie out of this truly epic cinematic duology. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Chris Olson Theatrical Release < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Solo film review by UK film critic Rachel Willis. Starring Théodore Pellerin, Félix Maritaud, Alice Moreault directed by Sophie Dupuis. HOME | FILMS | REVIEWS Solo Film Review average rating is 4 out of 5 Critic: Rachel Willis | Posted on: Jun 26, 2024 Directed by: Sophie Dupuis Written by: Sophie Dupuis Starring: Théodore Pellerin, Félix Maritaud, Alice Moreault From the very first scene, Simon (Théodore Pellerin) grabs your attention and doesn’t let go in writer/director Sophie Dupuis’s film, Solo. Make-up artist by day and drag queen performer by night, Simon’s world is filled with glamorous costumes and stunning performances. When Olivier (Félix Maritaud) arrives on the scene as a new performer, he and Simon have an instant connection. Rounding out Simon’s life is his sister Maude (Alice Moreault), a designer who supplies Simon’s with his stunning stage wear. Our first hint of trouble comes with the news that Simon’s mother is returning to Quebec after a 15-year absence. Having left the family to pursue her career, this is a cause for friction between the siblings. Simon professes to understand why his mother left, but as we watch him try to reconnect, it’s clear that her desertion has left a deep, devastating impression. Pellerin is masterful at displaying a range of emotions, easily eliciting elation or despair in the audience. From his performances on stage (of which we’re lucky to get several), to his newly developing relationship, to the friction with his mother and sister, each moment feels as natural as if you were experiencing these things for yourself. The supporting actors are equal to Pellerin, bringing a welcome depth not only to the film but to each character. As we dive deeper into Simon and Olivier’s relationship, we start to get subtle (then not so subtle) hints that things aren’t as sunny as they first appeared. Several montage moments of both drag performances and the drug-fueled parties serve to deepen the sense of the tempestuous relationship. The montages start to feel like one too many, but the drag performances are fun to watch. So even while they don’t always further the story, it’s hard to mind their inclusion. However, it’s also hard not to want more moments of dialogue between characters. One less montage may have allowed for this, furthering any number of meaningful character interactions. On the whole, Dupuis’s writing is masterful. Paired with Pellerin’s stunning performance, we’re given a film that encompasses joy, devastation, and hope. Solo is a beautiful, passionate film. Buy UKFR Banner Space About the Film Critic Rachel Willis Digital / DVD Release, LGBTQ+, World Cinema, Indie Feature Film < All Reviews Next Film Review >

Film news - The Djinn UK Release Date. Find out more at UK Film Review. The Djinn UK Release Date Chris Olson Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at 9:47:43 AM GMT+1 THE DJINN Directed by David Charbonier & Justin Powell Introducing Ezra Dewey Co-starring Rob Brownstein UK CINEMA RELEASE DATE ANNOUNCEMENT Friday 24th September The digital release follows from Monday 27th September The story follows a mute twelve-year-old, Dylan Jacobs, as he discovers a mysterious book of spells inside his new apartment. Grieving the loss of his mother, and feeling isolated from everyone except for his father, Dylan performs a ritual that promises to deliver his heart’s desire: to have a voice. But he soon discovers that every gift has a toll when a sinister djinn arrives to collect his soul. Now trapped in his new home with nowhere to hide, Dylan must find a way to survive until the stroke of midnight or pay the ultimate price. The King's Man UK Home Release Date Announced The Latest King’s Man Film Will be Available on Digital February 9 and 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on February 21. Read Now BFI Future Film Festival announces 2022 Awards Jury and full programme Find out who the jury is for the 2022 BFI Future Film Festival. Read Now The Wonderful: Stories From The Space Station UK Release Date The Wonderful: Stories from the Space Station is a Dog Star Films production in association with Fisheye Films. Directed by Clare Lewins (I Am Ali, Kareem: Minority of One, The Lost Tapes of Memphis.). Read Now Redemption of a Rogue UK Cinema Release Date Read Now Cryptozoo Coming to Mubi This October Having made a splash at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, filmmaker Dash Shaw's upcoming fantasy animation Cryptozoo is a highly anticipated film coming to Mubi later this year. 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Film news - A Quiet Place 2 Release Date!. Find out more at UK Film Review. A Quiet Place 2 Release Date! Chris Olson Monday, March 8, 2021 at 10:24:12 AM GMT A new release date has been announced for A Quiet Place 2 for the UK - 10 September 2021. The news was announced by the film's director on Twitter over the weekend and movie fans cannot be more excited - but in a hushed kind of way. The King's Man UK Home Release Date Announced The Latest King’s Man Film Will be Available on Digital February 9 and 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD on February 21. Read Now BFI Future Film Festival announces 2022 Awards Jury and full programme Find out who the jury is for the 2022 BFI Future Film Festival. Read Now The Wonderful: Stories From The Space Station UK Release Date The Wonderful: Stories from the Space Station is a Dog Star Films production in association with Fisheye Films. Directed by Clare Lewins (I Am Ali, Kareem: Minority of One, The Lost Tapes of Memphis.). Read Now Redemption of a Rogue UK Cinema Release Date Read Now Cryptozoo Coming to Mubi This October Having made a splash at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, filmmaker Dash Shaw's upcoming fantasy animation Cryptozoo is a highly anticipated film coming to Mubi later this year. Read Now Another Round UK DVD And Blu-Ray Release Date Announced Following its acclaimed cinema release, STUDIOCANAL are excited to announce the release of Thomas Vinterberg’s intoxicating Oscar winner, ANOTHER ROUND, starring Mads Mikkelsen, on early EST 24th September 2021 and DVD, Blu-ray and Digital on 27th September 2021. Read Now Marvel Studios Announces Black Widow DVD and Blu-Ray UK Release Date Marvel Studios Announces Black Widow To Land Early On Digital (August 10th) and 4K, Blu-Ray and DVD September 13th. Read Now My Little Sister Gets October UK Release Date My Little Sister is due for a cinema release in the UK, on Friday 8th October 2021. Read Now Grimmfest Reveals Line-Up for 2021 Film Festival After a year of “home invasions” in the form of virtual screenings and online events, this October sees Grimmfest returning to the cinema at last. Read Now Helen Mirren Narrates Powerful Documentary Escape From Extinction Kaleidoscope Entertainment presents Escape From Extinction, a powerful feature documentary narrated by Academy Award winner Dame Helen Mirren, coming to selected cinemas from 17th September celebrating ‘Great Big Green Week’ (18-26 September). Read Now Supernova UK DVD and Blu-Ray Release Date Following critical acclaim and standout performances, STUDIOCANAL are excited to announce the release of the heartbreaking British love story SUPERNOVA, arriving on EST 24th September 2021 and DVD and Blu-ray on 27th September 2021. Read Now The Djinn UK Release Date The story follows a mute twelve-year-old, Dylan Jacobs, as he discovers a mysterious book of spells inside his new apartment. Read Now Come Play UK Digital Release Date Jacob Chase’s directorial debut feature COME PLAY tells the story of Oliver, a solitary autistic boy who comes across a creepy children’s story on his new tablet. Read Now 15m Giant Starfish in Leicester Square Ahead of UK Release of The Suicide Squad British actor Peter Capaldi (BBC’s Doctor Who, World War Z) ‒ who stars in THE SUICIDE SQUAD alongside Margot Robbie, Idris Elba and John Cena as genius scientist ‘Thinker’, was bravely photographed with the imposing creature Starro in London’s Leicester Square earlier today in celebration of the film’s UK release this coming Friday. Read Now West Side Story In Cinemas December 2021 From acclaimed director Steven Spielberg, the 2021 remake of West Side Story will be coming to cinemas in December 2021. Read Now The Last Job UK Digital and DVD Release Date Screen icon Richard Dreyfuss takes on The Last Job in a brand new, all-action thriller, that stars Modern Family’s Mira Sorvino as his daughter. This rip-roaring gangster movie hits the UK on DVD and digital this August from 101 Films. Read Now Rise of the Footsoldier Origins UK Cinema Release The eagerly-awaited RISE OF THE FOOTSOLDIER: ORIGINS, starring legendary leading man Vinnie Jones, is showing exclusively in cinemas from September 3, courtesy of Signature Entertainment. Read Now Random Acts of Violence UK DVD and Blu-ray Release Date Jay Baruchel writes, directs and stars in his horror debut Random Acts of Violence, which makes its UK Blu-ray debut from Acorn Media International in conjunction with Shudder, following its success on the streaming service. Read Now Spirited Away 20th Anniversary Special Edition SPIRITED AWAY COLLECTOR’S BOXSET WITH DVD & BLU-RAY DOUBLEPLAY AVAILABLE 27 SEPTEMBER 2021 Read Now A New World Order Premieres in UK 23 August Black Mirror meets A Quiet Place in gripping sci-fi thriller A New World Order from director Daniel Raboldt in his feature debut, which gets its UK premiere on DVD and digital 23 August 2021 from Reel 2 Reel Films. Read Now