Roger Michell’s “Enduring Love”
Discomforting psychological drama of existential horror is a bitter but effective work more akin to Yorgos Lanthimos than Michell’s own “Notting Hill”
Georgia Oakley’s “Blue Jean”
Solid directorial debut with compelling performances from Rosy McEwen, Kerrie Hayes and Lucy Halliday tells a story of love, discrimination, and integrity with conviction
Carine Adler’s “Under The Skin”
Potent story of grief and sisterhood with a powerful performance from Samantha Morton in her feature film debut is at once difficult, cathartic and thoughtful
Samantha Morton’s “The Unloved”
Semi-autobiographical directorial debut from Samantha Morton is an accomplished and powerful film with a terrific lead performance by Molly Windsor which is on a par with the lauded, recently released “The Quiet Girl”
Lynne Ramsay’s “Morvern Callar”
Absorbing and atmospheric character study led by a stunning performance from Samantha Morton is masterful visual storytelling which cuts deep
Ben Steiner’s “Matriarch”
Hamfisted storytelling with terrible dialogue led by an awful performance redeemed only by another great turn by Kate Dickie as the titular matriarch in an insincere horror soap opera
Sara Sugarman’s “Save the Cinema”
Samantha Morton sparkles beyond the limits of this sugary, sentimental melodrama telling the true story of a hairdresser’s campaign to save her local cinema from property developers
Mary Nighy’s “Alice, Darling”
Anna Kendrick’s best performance since Up in the Air is an undertold story of coercive control and emotional abuse told well but without flourish
Michael Pearce’s “Beast”
Jessie Buckley’s feature film debut is potent in this beautifully shot, challenging and twisting psychological thriller
Russell Owen’s “Shepherd”
Bland cinematography and editing along with a clunky, trope-heavy script fails to capitalise on its epic setting or ideas
Mark Jenkin’s “Enys Men”
Those expecting a horror will be disappointed but those willing to allow themselves to be absorbed by the atmosphere of this enigmatic and experimental work will be rewarded
Joanna Hogg’s “The Eternal Daughter”
Reading the tea leaves of memory in a secluded manor, The Eternal Daughter quietly weaves a story of memory, connection and loss
Ruth Paxton’s “A Banquet”
Some exceptional direction from Paxton and terrific performances fail to save a meandering script which compares unfavourably to Rose Glass’ “Saint Maud” for which it has some striking similarities
Tom George’s “See How They Run”
Enjoyable, theatrical whodunnit built around Agatha Christie’s long running stageplay The Moustrap(which it doesn’t spoil) is a playful romp led by pitch perfect performances from Sam Rockwell and Saoirse Ronan
Rian Johnson’s “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”
Another modern spin on classic whodunit movies that’s well crafted, enjoyable and about as serious as Craig’s sleuth, Benoit Blanc
Sam Mendes’ “Empire of Light”
An intimate, poetic narrative which is a coming of age story that touches on racism, mental illness and exploitation that manages to be uplifting without being vapid
Mark Mylod’s “The Menu”
Dark satire whose genre is probably best unknown prior to viewing offers an entertaining feast if one that’s a little light on calories
Sebastián Lelio’s “The Wonder”
A brilliant, layered and compelling film about belief, faith, grief and storytelling led by an exceptional performance from Florence Pugh and a crackling script from Emma Donoghue
Clio Barnard’s “Ali & Ava”
A social realist romance with optimism despite the difficult and marginalised lives of its protagonists
Charlotte Wells’ “Aftersun”
A poetic haze of memory perfectly executed in a subtle and affecting narrative of a father and daughter