Andrea Arnold (Fish Tank, American Honey) masterfully blends gritty, coming-of-age storytelling steeped with magical realism, infusing the film with a raw connection to nature.

In Arnold’s striking Kent-set tale, Bailey (Nykiya Adams), a 12-year-old girl, experiences a shift in her fractured home life when she meets a mysterious stranger searching for his family. Bailey feels trapped in her Gravesend squat: her dad, Bug (Barry Keoghan), a madcap wannabe drug dealer, plans to remarry; her older brother wants to elope with his girlfriend; and her younger siblings are threatened by her mother’s aggressive lover. Enter Bird (Franz Rogowski), a free spirit on his own journey. With a pulsating soundtrack and standout performances, including newcomer Adams, Arnold's bold shift into magical realism helps this transformative film soar.