A woman during the Second World War opens her heart to an evacuee after initially resolving to be rid of him.
Acting
Gemma Arterton's prickly, vulnerable transformation
Cinematography
White cliffs of Dover as emotional landscape
Writing
Swale's debut script balances grief and warmth
Director
Jessica Swale
Gemma Arterton
Alice
Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Vera
Penelope Wilton
Older Alice
Tom Courtenay
Mr. Sullivan
Lucas Bond
Frank
Dixie Egerickx
Edie
Siân Phillips
Margaret Corey
Amanda Root
Mrs. Lawrence
Jessica Gunning
Mrs. Bassett
David Horovitch
Albert
Martina Laird
Older Vera
Amanda Lawrence
Muriel
David Ajao
Officer
Thomas Coombes
Air Raid Warden
Rakhee Thakrar
Mrs. Evans
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Swale wrote the play of the same name first — the film expands Vera's role significantly, making the queer romance central rather than subtext.
The 'flying children' legend ties to real Kent folklore about lost souls crossing to the afterlife.
GB
