Set in a British all-girl boarding school in the 1930s, Eva Green plays enigmatic teacher Miss G, whose life is defined by her devotion to her pupils, and - later - her increasingly unhealthy infatuation with a new student. Senior girl Di (Juno Temple) already has a crush on Miss G, and the arrival of young, Spanish beauty Fiamma (María Valverde) causes jealousy and resentment. As Di realises she has been replaced in Miss G's affections, she becomes more bullying and encourages the other girls to do the same. But childish petulance soon leads to something else, and an inevitable tragedy.
Directed by Jordan Scott (daughter of Ridley), this plays out like The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie meets Death in Venice meets The Lord of the Flies (although it's actually based on a 1999 novel by Sheila Kohler). Eva Green is excellent. Maria Valverde is very good. The rest of the cast are good, especially Imogen Poots and Sinead Cusack. But the standout is Juno Temple. As the conflicted Di she gives the most emotional performance I've seen from her. It's a slow-burn of a film (it does feel a little TOO slow at times) but it's definitely worth sticking with. 7.5/10.
