On this page: CLOSE TO YOU | IMMACULATE | RILEY

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With relaxed authenticity Page plays Sam as a man who simply wants to exist without any fuss. His emotions are vivid, stirred by stinging comments that are meant to be kind. But he also has strong connections with these people, and Page elicits wonderful chemistry with each costar. Baack offers a luminous note of longing, while both Crewson and Outerbridge boldly dive into their parental roles. As the most prickly character, Reale offers disarming textures that are far too easily recognisable.

While the themes here are important and punchy, the loose nature of the filmmaking sidesteps any big message, which is perhaps a good thing. But it also makes it tricky for the audience to get a grip on the story, because scenes seem to tumble along without much narrative momentum or direction. Still, the observations are powerful. As is the reminder that Sam is just a person with the full range of thoughts and feelings, not a political issue that needs to be explained, promoted or approached using proscribed language.

themes, language

15.Mar.24 flare

The excellent Sweeney goes all-in with this performance, establishing Cecilia as a likeable young woman early on, then properly pushing to her limits and beyond. Her resilience is powerful to watch, as she unearths the mind-bending conspiracy and refuses to accept being told that she can never leave this place. Morte is also terrific as the hot priest who is clearly up to something nefarious. And Porcaroli registers strongly as Cecila's one confidant, a fellow rebel who sees through the artifice.

Many of the scariest moments involve simplistic jump cuts and loud noises, but wacky touches include birds flying into windows, nuns falling from the roof, branded crosses on the soles of feet and a renegade tooth. Whenever a scene gets quiet, we brace ourselves for a barrage cinematic nastiness augmented by an effective sound mix. And then there's the squirm-inducing plot, which plays knowingly on the idea of women having agency over their own bodies and leaves us with something to think about. Once we recover from the yuckiness, that is.

themes, language, violence

14.Mar.24

The relaxed, offhanded cast may look like they're in their mid-20s, but they vividly bring these teens to life. Holley gives a deeply committed performance, revealing Dakota's darker emotions in realistic, resonant ways. It's moving to watch him work out how to move forward, and his entire physicality expresses the sense that his future hangs in the balance. McCalla, Scott and Storrie are excellent alongside him, providing textured reactions that illuminate the film's central ideas.

There's nothing particularly new here, as these themes are frequently explored on-screen. But Howard's frank approach is refreshing, offering insight that clearly comes from personal experience. Because of the pressures of society, teens go through this kind of turmoil all over the world, confronting tension between who they need to be and who they really are. And the film offers some wise advice: If you don't know what to do, flip a coin; but don't act on the result, act on how the result makes you feel.

themes, language, violence, sexuality

15.Mar.24