Reviews

Features

Genre Drama

Person in dark hat, blue top, and red fabric wrap standing in golden grassland with birds flying overhead against pale sky.

Harvest review – remarkably compelling work

by Hannah Strong

Athina Rachel Tsangari’s solemn adaptation of Jim Crace’s historical novel concentrates on the changing face of a Scottish farming village as the agricultural revolution begins.

Man in light blue shirt and woman with curly red hair in dark top having conversation in front of bookshelf filled with books.

The Other Way Around review – a new type of break-up movie

by David Jenkins

Jonás Trueba’s wry and articulate neo-screwball relationship comedy sees a couple organising a party for their impending break-up.

Two women sitting at outdoor café table under umbrellas, one in dark top, one in white shirt, Spanish flag visible on wall behind.

Hot Milk review – never properly gels

by David Jenkins

Rebecca Lenkiewicz adapts Deborah Levy’s best-selling novel, but the result is lacklustre.

Two people playing sitting at a table, bottle of drink on the table, warm lighting from window.

From Hilde, With Love review – too staid to make an impact

by Laura Venning

Andreas Dresen’s Nazi Germany-set biopic on resistance fighters Hilde and Hans Coppi fails to do their story justice.

Two men walking together, one wearing a navy suit and the other in a yellow jacket and jeans.

F1 review – speed is king, subtlety is yellow-flagged

by Adam Woodward

Brad Pitt is in scintillating form in this shameless PR exercise, which also happens to be one of the year’s most purely entertaining cinematic experiences.

A person in a dark grey cloak holding a sword stands in a forested area with tall trees.

Tornado review – tries a bit too hard to be different

by David Jenkins

John Maclean aims for Sergio Leone and Akira Kurosawa, but this 18^th century samurai western leaves only a superficial impression.

Two people lying on grass against mountainous backdrop.

Falling Into Place review – Sally Rooney-core for the big screen

by David Jenkins

Aylin Tezel writes, directs and stars alongside Chris Fulton in this meet-cute romantic drama set between London and the Isle of Skye.

Three people, a woman in a headscarf covering her mouth, a woman with a concerned expression, and an older man with a beard, sitting together in a dimly lit room.

The Ritual review – fails to scare, entertain or convert

by Billie Walker

Al Pacino and Dan Stevens can’t save this awful excuse for an exorcism thriller.

Turquoise and white vintage convertible car at night, with two people sitting inside.

Along Came Love review – an intimately epic love story

by Sophie Monks Kaufman

Katell Quillévéré’s poetic French period drama is powered by an understated chemistry between Anaïs Demoustier and Vincent Lacoste.

Two people, a man and a woman, standing on a beach with grassy hills in the background. The man is wearing a colourful graphic T-shirt and a teal cardigan, while the woman is wearing a patterned, multi-coloured coat.

The Ballad Of Wallis Island review – relishes in daft physical comedy

by Katherine McLaughlin

Comedian collaborators Tim Key and Tom Basden co-write and co-star in James Griffiths’ pleasant bromance flick.

A person, presumably a woman, sitting in a dark car, with an intense, worried expression on their face.

Hallow Road review – heavily signposted horror

by Katherine McLaughlin

Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys navigate parental fears in Babak Anvari’s gripping yet shaky psychological thriller.

A young woman in a yellow top stands close to a large brown and white horse against a backdrop of green foliage.

Magic Farm review – Amalia Ulman has plenty up her sleeve

by Emily Maskell

Amalia Ulman flexes her satirical writing chops, but her latest would have benefitted from more Chloë Sevigny and Simon Rex.