Ben Wheatley’s High-Rise is probably easier to like if you haven’t read J.G. Ballard’s novel: you won’t know it’s missing 95% of his ideas. Wheatley’s film can barely offer more than views of Tom Hiddleston’s glorious torso. In Simran Hans’ apt words, High-Rise is willfully “anti-intellectual”.
Film Reviews
Here you will find every film review we've written. These include: festival films, new releases, and older films.
Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You delves into the life of the renegade 70s television producer
In the new documentary, Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You, Norman Lear is heralded as the saviour of television. Directors Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing successfully celebrate Lear’s life but the film lacks deeper analysis.
Review: April and the Extraordinary World is a wonder
April and the Extraordinary World is an immersive science fiction narrative, but it’s also a thoughtful reflection on our own world.
Review: Louder Than Bombs is a deeply empathetic look at family, grief, and memory
Joachim Trier’s sublime English-language debut Louder Than Bombs is an engrossing and empathetic look at a family recovering from trauma.
Karyn Kusama’s The Invitation doesn’t stick the landing
Karyn Kusama’s The Invitation is a variation on the “dinner party from hell” film: is our protagonist paranoid, or are they really out to get him?
Chantal Akerman’s final film No Home Movie is a heartbreaking personal essay
Chantal Akerman’s moving cinematic essay is a tribute to her mother, a holocaust survivor, and a subtle exploration of Jewish “suitcase-ready” culture.