The Outrun

The Outrun is a deeply moving British psychological drama directed by Nora Fingscheidt in 2024. Set against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of an isolated island, the film tells the story of a young woman struggling to navigate the tumultuous path between the pull of alcohol addiction and her desperate yearning for recovery.

The movie's visual storytelling is mesmerizing, capturing the raw beauty of the island as a metaphor for the protagonist's internal battle. The juxtaposition of breathtaking landscapes with moments of profound despair adds a layer of emotional depth to the narrative.

What sets The Outrun apart is its ability to portray addiction not just as a personal struggle but as a complex, multifaceted experience shaped by environment, relationships, and inner conflict. The protagonist's journey is neither romanticized nor simplified; it's real, painful, and ultimately, hopeful.

Fingscheidt's direction ensures that every scene resonates emotionally, making it more than just a film-it's an experience. For anyone drawn to stories of resilience, self-discovery, and redemption, The Outrun is a must-see. It leaves you reflecting long after the credits roll.

Saoirse Ronan could easily have a second career narrating nature documentaries.

Never underestimate how difficult it is to play various stages of drunk, addiction and sobriety and Ronan nails it. Movies with a distinct cinematic style are becoming increasingly rare so I'm so grateful for what Nora Fonscheidt achieved with her visual storytelling The colours and textures were just stunning especially around perspective and memory.

Obviously it's the Saoirse show but the supporting cast is pitch perfect, especially Stephen Dillane and Saskia Reeves as her parents. Paapa Essideu is such a subtle screen presence but the camera just loves him.

The film does something that not a lot of films do; it isolates and creates a metaphor in the scenery. The personalities of the actors / actresses are flawless; i.e. Gaining character and momentum as the film moved in turn. Conceptually; It runs deep. You know or don't...the plot was in reverse as soon as it was set in motion. Rona was chasing. She was chasing a life that was hers. The lining of gray rain and clear raindrops only saddened the scene; cars and planes included. It was the largest blessing for the protagonist. Bleak, desolate visions and thoughts of " bird calls. " Excitement was there. Recalling the vivid techno moments, she embraced. She learned to cope and not cope with withdrawals, seemingly and with volition. The acting and portrayals was spot on. Every turn had a sequence. Regardless, the film is pinnacle at finding isolation and making the best; mockery and joke or serious and real.

This movie deftly takes the viewer on a journey to loss and addiction and back again in two intertwined stories - past and present that slip along next to each other, each revealing themselves, piece by piece. Saoirse Ronan's performance embraces both stories with utter conviction. She ably backed up by a small but brilliant cast. At times, you could believe you were watching a 'fly on the wall' documentary, the characters were so unassumingly true to life in their portrayal of the London and Orkney roles. The parents were particularly well played.

Finally, the backdrop. Orkney in winter contributed so much drama and atmosphere.

Recommended.

It was raw and relatable at the beginning but gets repetitive, maybe that's the struggle about getting sober. I'm not using any substance but dopamine is a real addiction too, all those short videos, mobile games, fragmented information, sometimes I feel like I can't be happy without them either. Nature has amazing healing power and I need to go outside and touch more grass. The dad is the real problem here, he is a unfortunate mental illness sufferer, but our protagonist have to stay away from the bad influence to take care of herself first. Two things I don't quite understand: why the timeline has to be so intertwined and audience have to look at her hair and nail color to know when anything happened; and I get it that she could be bipolar too, but the conducting natural phenomena thing is just weird, and isn't it a bit narcissistic too?

The sea is so beautiful and the seals are so cute.