Urchin

Actor Harris Dickinson's 2025 directorial debut (which he also wrote) is a social drama which features Frank Dillane as Mike, a young addict living on the streets who after a mugging incident and prison fails to adjust to rehab and employment, and ends up going down the pan. Your not really sure what the point of this perhaps vaguely symbolic drama is, and whether it's helpful in any way. The first half is stronger and more focused than the more rambling second half. But even the first half has it's issues, being a not entirely convincing portrait of a rather middle class seeming 'Homeless Rough Sleeper Victim', who is pictured in a rather negative light. The socio-economic crimes committed by society against the deprived and desperate by the society they live in are not tackled, and indeed the film sometimes seems a little like victim blaming. Is anything ever really a homeless person's fault Harris? I speak from a lot of experience.

5 mins in I felt this would be right up my street. Let's be straight, this isn't an easy watch, or much of a laugh. What it is, is beautifully shot, brilliantly acted, and a visceral journey through addiction / alcoholism.

It's artistic, thought provoking and sad. Saying I enjoyed it, would seem empty, and untrue. But it was worthy and deep. An intellectual, sometimes painful journey of an alcoholic lost and struggling to cope with life, like many with experience of addiction would recognise. Like a child trying to live as an adult in a grown up world.

I would definitely recommend this to those looking for "more" in their films. Who want and enjoy artistic, well acted, gritty and thought provoking content. If this isn't you, it will be a tough watch.

Last nights Cineworld secret screening was "Urchin", Harris Dickinson's debut as feature writer and director. Though this particularly reveal didn't go down well, I think that I appreciated the film more than anyone else in there.

Homeless, and addicted to substance abuse, Michael (Frank Dillane) gets a chance to get his life back together when he's clean and sober, following a prison sentence for aggravated burglary. Living in a hostel and with a job in a hotel kitchen, he seems to be doing well. That is until a restorative justice meeting with the victim of his assault causes him to begin to spiral.

So, the screening itself was beset by walkouts and the general chatter I overheard at the conclusion, was that the audience that remained regretted their decision. Truth be told, "Urchin" is quite a demanding film to present to a general, unprepared audience. It's a tough watch, at times, and whilst Michael is often charming, he's damaged and the arc of the story clues you to the fact his collapse is coming. Harder though for the general audience (and I'm trying not to sound patronising here) is that there is certain an "art-house" feel to the film. Mike mental health issues are, in my interpretation, portrayed by a journey down the plug hole to a subatomic world and then a detour to a beautiful but stark cave structure, before snapping back to the story. His demons are manifested in an older woman, who stares placidly at him. There's maybe a certain level of cinema literacy to 'read' the film that's required. The ending in particularly seemed to cause confusion - though I thought it was pretty apparent what the film was saying had happened.

Whilst I wouldn't say that I "enjoyed" it either, it's not the sort of film, nor that I'll be rushing for a second viewing anytime soon. The performances across the cast are excellent, particularly from Dillane, and I think that Dickinson evidently is as talented behind the camera, as he is in front of it.

While Urchin doesn't have the most wonderful and unique writing on the subject about homelessness and addiction, Harris Dickinson's debut direction and approach to the atmosphere was promising, and reflecting a good solid light and coherence to filmmaking.

Dickinson offers some good concepts and moments about the characters journey going through the troubles and struggles. Including with some good colorful presentation, production, and tone. The themes about society, drug use, and the social class issues are explored solidly throughout. Which made some of the emotional and hitting moments successful. Frank Dillane's performance as the main lead is powerful and strong, as you feel Dillane's personality and his character being the most interesting aspect about this movie. Alongside with the other performances being good.

However, on the writing, the writing does have it's fault. It's clear with what themes and concepts Dickinson is exploring which does work, but at certain moments, it doesn't feel powerful as Dickinson hoped for. As there are moments the concepts and themes feel thin, predictable, and at times, messy. Despite an interesting main lead, unfortunately, the other characters didn't have a strong sense of realism, and at times, some of the side character felt unrealistic, and plot devices used to keep the film going forward. Which made certain dialogue choices and pacing moments feel off.

The usage of music is good, the camerawork is solid, and there are some decent sound designs. Overall, it is clear Dickinson has a good start to a directing debut. However, personally, a tighter approach and script could make this movie more powerful.

Frank Dillane's raw performance gives this film a punch of realness, as if you're truly watching someone's life unfold before you. Mike's reactions towards his own ups and downs make you simultaneously sympathetic and frustrated towards him.

On that note, the same thing can be said for Harris Dickinson's direction. Perhaps this being his debut film as a director, he was overjoyed to incorporate a lot of elements into this; yet personally, when the ending credits rolled, I didn't feel the coherence as there's always some kind of duality in the presentation of this film. Is this a surrealist or a slice-of-life? Did Dickinson want his film to be a social commentary on how the government fails society, particularly the vulnerable group, by not giving them the full protection and support system that is essential to the rehabilitation process, or did he want to say that a piece of trash will always be a piece of trash?

The overall tone is just uneven for me. Nevertheless, I'll surely tune in to whatever Harris Dickinson cooks in the future.