12-year-old Bailey lives with her single dad Bug and brother Hunter in a squat in North Kent. Bug doesn’t have much time for his kids, and Bailey, who is approaching puberty, seeks attention and adventure elsewhere.
Acting
Nykiya Adams carries the whole film in her jawline.
Direction
Arnold finds beauty in places cinema usually ignores.
Cinematography
Kent never looked this mythic or this brutal.
Director
Andrea Arnold
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Franz Rogowski learned to sing opera for the role; his drunken aria was entirely improvised.
Andrea Arnold cast non-professionals from Kent housing estates, including the girl who plays Kayleigh — she was discovered at a local McDonald's.
GB
