Drama Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Drama

A person in a black robe holding up a white sheet of paper against a dark background.
Review

The Seed of the Sacred Fig review – a melodrama of resistance

by Mark Asch

An Iranian judge appointed to Tehran’s Revolutionary Court grapples with dissent both at work and at home in Mohammad Rasoulof’s politically charged thriller.

5
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two men, one with a beard and hat, using a laser measurement tool to take a reading.
Review

The Fire Inside review – a sporting biog that lacks originality

by David Jenkins

Rachel Morrison directs a script by Barry Jenkins with this sadly-underwhelming underdog boxing biopic of Claressa ​“T‑Rex” Shields.

4
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
A man with a beard wearing a dark jacket, holding a firearm.
Review

Bring Them Down review – a chilling neo-western

by Hannah Strong

Tensions reach fever pitch in a rural Irish farming community in Christopher Andrews’ fierce feature debut.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Two people, a man and a woman, conversing in an autumn park setting with colourful foliage.
Review

By the Stream review – burrows under your skin

by David Jenkins

Korean director Hong Sang-soo returns with this playful study of creation, performance and why films don’t need audiences to be successful.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
Diverse group of people in 1970s attire gathered in a crowded indoor setting.
Review

Saturday Night review – unappealing nepo baby triumphalism

by Mark Asch

Jason Reitman pans back to 1975 and Lorne Michaels’ ambitious plans for a live broadcast sketch show in his fanfiction retelling of SNL’s inception.

2
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
1
In Retrospect
A serious-looking Black woman with braided hair, wearing a green jacket, speaking on a mobile phone.
Review

Hard Truths review – incredible in small, measured strokes

by Mark Asch

Reuniting with Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Mike Leigh makes a welcome return to contemporary filmmaking with a searing portrait of a woman on the brink.

4
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
A young woman in a red hooded top stands in a dimly lit room, with blurred figures in the background.
Review

Presence review – an enjoyably swift chiller

by Manuela Lazic

Steven Soderbergh plays with the cinematic form to craft a compelling story about family dynamics and grief.

4
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
4
In Retrospect
A man in a checked shirt sitting on the grass, writing in a notebook under a tree in a lush, green garden.
Review

The Brutalist review – gorgeous, capital-C Cinema

by Hannah Strong

Adrien Brody is phenomenal in Brady Corbet’s sublime three-and-a-half hour drama, as a Jewish architect arrives in post-war America to a hostile new world.

4
Anticipation
5
Enjoyment
5
In Retrospect
Two people embracing in a cosy room filled with furniture and decor.
Review

Here review – a forgiving and open mind is required for this one

by David Jenkins

This conceptually-intriguing folly sees Robert Zemeckis reteaming with Tom Hanks for an effects-driven everyman tale that never gets off the ground.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
A person sleeping peacefully in a dimly lit bedroom, surrounded by a wooden headboard and delicate floral branches.
Review

Emmanuelle review – anticlimactic and unerotic

by David Jenkins

Audrey Diwan’s cold take on the infamous erotic softcore French novel leaves a bit too much to be desired.

4
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect