When Ellen and Paul’s son Josh introduces his new girlfriend at their 25th anniversary party, no one suspects that it is the beginning of the end for this happy family. The new girlfriend is Liz, Ellen’s former student, who left the university, some years before, after Ellen called her out in class for her radical ideology.
Acting
Diane Lane's micro-expressions could teach a masterclass.
Direction
Komasa turns a dinner party into psychological warfare.
Writing
Every compliment hides a blade. Dialogue cuts deep.
Director
Jan Komasa
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Komasa based the dinner scene structure on Festen, stripping away that film's explosive revelation for something more insidious: the horror of recognition.
Deutch and Lane refused to rehearse their confrontation scene together; their genuine unfamiliarity was the first time they spoke as characters.
US
