Drama Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Drama

A young woman with dark hair wearing a denim jacket and holding a map in a rural setting.
Review

Trenque Lauquen review – compulsive and completely absorbing

by David Jenkins

One of 2023’s most astonishing films comes in the form of a two-part opus about a woman drawn to mystery that takes a few cues from Twin Peaks.

4
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
Two persons in a dimly lit room, faces lit by colourful lights, creating an intense, dramatic atmosphere.
Review

Femme review – an uninhibited, spikey portrait of revenge

by Emily Maskell

After being the victim of a violent homophobic attack, a young drag performer sees an opportunity to get revenge on one of his tormentors.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two women in red and black outfits conversing, with a man in the background.
Review

Eileen review – an impressively crafted noir

by Katherine McLaughlin

A shy young prison guard develops an infatuation with her workplace’s new psychiatrist in William Oldroyd’s twisty new thriller.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two men sitting at a bar, one wearing a green jacket and the other a red jacket, while a band plays on stage behind them.
Review

Fallen Leaves review – the Finnish legend returns

by David Jenkins

Another gorgeous tragicomic farce from Finnish maestro Aki Kaurismäki, a heartfelt cinephile ode to the possibility of love among the working classes.

4
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two people embracing on the ground, wearing dark clothing.
Review

Lost In The Night review – violent drama hampered by convention

by David Jenkins

Mexican provocateur Amat Escalante makes a half-cocked bid for mainstream respectability in this intriguing tale of a young man’s torrid search for his missing mother.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Person in floral dress holding cake in ornate hallway.
Review

The Eternal Daughter review – double your Tilda, double your pleasure

by Catherine Bray

Tilda Swinton plays both mother and daughter in Joanna Hogg’s eerie and effective exploration of parent-child relationships.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A man relaxing in a wicker chair on a balcony, reading a book. The scene features stone walls and a rural landscape in the background.
Review

Saltburn review – gorgeous, lurid, shallow and frustrating

by Hannah Strong

A working-class student finds himself thrust into a new world in Emerald Fennell’s stylish but underwhelming second feature.

4
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Woman in floral dress, armed soldier in background.
Review

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes – lopsided prequel

by David Jenkins

Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth head up this serviceable franchise prequel that divebombs into ignominy and obscurity during its protracted final act.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
1
In Retrospect
Two young women wearing dresses, standing in front of a lake with a tree in the background.
Review

May December review – a frothy psychodrama with a lurid bite

by Hannah Strong

Todd Haynes’ deliciously dark melodrama sees Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman go head-to-head as a housewife and the woman tasked with playing her in a film.

4
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A person in a suit standing in a courtroom or similar formal setting.
Review

Anatomy of a Fall review – Sandra Hüller is one of the finest to ever do it

by David Jenkins

A woman has to stand trial after her husband dies in suspicious circumstances in Justine Triet’s compelling courtroom drama.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect