One Eyed Girl

I'm still sitting with everything it made me feel. It's one of those slow-burning, unsettling films that doesn't go where you think it will in a good way.

The movie follows this guy, Travis, a psychiatrist who's clearly dealing with some serious internal turmoil. He's depressed, kind of numb to the world, and not really coping with the weight of his work or personal life. Then he meets Grace this quiet, strange young woman and through her, ends up in a secluded cult-like community led by a guy named Father Jay.

At first, it seems like they might be helping him. The place is remote, strict, almost military-like, but there's a sense of belonging there that Travis is drawn to. That's where the movie gets really interesting it starts challenging you to think about what people are willing to believe in when they're desperate for purpose or healing.

The performances are what really make this film stick. Mark Leonard Winter, who plays Travis, does a brilliant job of showing someone completely unraveling, while still trying to hold it together. Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Grace is just... haunting. There's so much pain behind her eyes, but she also carries this strange sense of calm that keeps you guessing. And Steve Le Marquand as Father Jay terrifyingly charismatic. You can see exactly why people would follow him, even when things start to feel off.

It's not a flashy film it's quiet, tense, and moody. A lot of grey tones, empty spaces, minimal soundtrack. It builds atmosphere more than action, but that worked for me. It felt real, raw, and honestly a bit uncomfortable at times which I think was the point.

One Eyed Girl is a slow-burning Australian psychological thriller that quietly gets under your skin. Directed by Nick Matthews, the film follows Travis, a young psychiatrist who's spiraling after a personal tragedy. Burnt out and guilt-ridden, he crosses paths with Grace, a mysterious woman who invites him to a secluded community led by a charismatic leader, Father Jay. What begins as an escape from his pain turns into something far more dangerous and revealing.

Unlike most thrillers about cults, One Eyed Girl isn't built on shocking twists or violence. It's about the emotional and psychological vulnerability that draws people toward control and belief. Travis isn't naïve; he's broken. The film captures how trauma and loneliness can make even intelligent people crave structure, forgiveness, or something that simply feels like purpose.

Mark Leonard Winter gives a deeply convincing performance as Travis, portraying quiet despair with subtlety and restraint. Tilda Cobham-Hervey, as Grace, brings an unsettling calmness. She's the film's haunting center. Together, their connection feels both tragic and oddly tender.

The cinematography enhances the mood perfectly dry Australian landscapes mirror Travis's emptiness, while the secluded compound feels both peaceful and suffocating. The pacing is deliberate, sometimes almost meditative, which may frustrate viewers looking for a more conventional thriller, but it rewards patience with emotional depth and moral complexity.

By the end, One Eyed Girl leaves you with more questions than answers about faith, redemption, and the fine line between healing and surrender. It's dark, quiet, and deeply human the kind of film that lingers long after the credits roll.

If you're open to a film that isn't exactly easy-going, but is ready to dive deep into the human psyche and fragility, I think it's worth a try. However, if you're looking for something light-hearted or full-on thrilling, this film might feel a bit too "slow" or tense.

But there are also weaknesses that make it to the fullest extent.

One Eyed Girl is a slow-burn thriller that rewards patient viewers with a haunting psychological exploration of loss, vulnerability, and the search for meaning. It's not always easy to watch, but it lingers long after the credits roll.

Highly recommended for fans of character-driven thrillers with a psychological and philosophical edge.

The film opens with a very interesting story. It's mysterious, lonely, and full of questions about faith and emotional pain and boldly explores the mind, hopelessness, and religion without preaching morality. Instead, it asks, "How do we survive when everything in our lives falls apart?"

I like the picture is very beautiful. Every frame looks like it was composed like an art film.