Miss Flicks

The Wonder: LFF Film Review

Florence Pugh never misses! Just weeks after her phenomenal performance in Don’t Worry Darling, she knocks out the park again with The Wonder.

In Sebastián Lelio‘s 1800s-set drama, Pugh plays English nurse Elizabeth ‘Lib’ Wright, who goes to rural Ireland to observe a young girl named Anna (Kíla Lord Cassidy) who hasn’t eaten for four months. She and a nun have been hired to simply watch the girl in shifts and not intervene. The deeply religious townspeople believe Anna is a miracle or a saint, but Lib is sure it is nonsense and is determined to find out how Anna has survived for so long.

I found this movie absolutely fascinating. It tells an intriguing story and I was gripped by the mystery of Anna and the main theme of faith versus medicine. It takes its time to reveal details about the lead characters so I was hooked because I wanted to know more about Lib, Anna and her family. Some people might find it a little slow but I thought it was perfectly paced and the revelations and ending made it all worthwhile. Lelio wrote the screenplay with Room’s Emma Donoghue (who wrote the novel the film’s based on) and Normal People’s Alice Birch so it’s not a surprise that the writing is top-notch.

However, there is a narrative device that I didn’t like. The film is bookended by brief scenes which take place on a movie set – it takes you behind the scenes of what The Wonder’s sound stage looks like. I hated that and didn’t understand the point because it just takes you right out of the story. Bizarre choice.

Pugh is simply at the top of her game right now. She can convey so much emotion in the briefest of looks and makes it seem effortless. I love the variety of her work and cannot wait to see what she does next. The film also relies heavily on Cassidy and she was mysterious and captivating – I was so curious about her character. They are supported by the excellent Tom Burke as journalist William Byrne, who initially befriends Lib to get a scoop, Toby Jones as a doctor who puts his faith first, and Ciaran Hinds in a bafflingly small role. I expected it to expand at some point but it didn’t!

The Wonder, with its gorgeous cinematography, fascinating set-up and satisfying ending, is definitely one to watch.

Seen as part of the London Film Festival. On Netflix from 16th November.