The Wonder

This a film that I feel is very understated in its beauty. The storytelling is subtle yet really well done. I can understand why a lot of people find this to be just ok as it isn't massively action packed and relies more on character development than a fast moving plot.

There are a few familiar faces here which is always good, mainly Florence Pugh who I know from her role as Yelena Belova in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This actress is someone who truly understands her craft and was a perfect choice for the titular role here.

Kila Lord Cassidy who played the young girl Ana O Donnel in this film played a magnificent part and I feel like she has truly set the standard for the rest of her career. I would recommend this film as I thoroughly enjoyed my time watching it.

There are so many things that I loved about this movie. I loved how clean the whole setup is - it only took about twenty minutes to give the viewer an excellent glimpse into where the movie was going and what the main conflicts are. While the girl was at the center of the story the movie really had nothing to do with the girl. The acting by everyone in the movie is absolutely top notch, especially Florence Pugh (she very much reminds me of a young Kate Winslet). Once the story was set up I was extremely curious as to how they were going to wrap it up - the resolution was amazing and did not disappoint.

I do have one last note on this movie. I am a man that embraces science and discounts religion. On the surface it seems as though this movie be a movie about science vs. religion but I think the exchange between the nurse and the nun at the end of the movie shows that the issue was not necessarily religion but fanaticism.

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Had a very basic understanding of the premise going into this, but wow, it did not go where I thought it would. If you're into slow burns, great acting, and fantastic cinematography, this checks all the boxes.

And the craziest part? [spoiler]It draws inspiration from events that actually happened: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Jacob[/spoiler]

Beautiful movie, the soundtrack is very good. Florence Pugh and the girl act great. The story slowly takes you to the end and you forget the film set at the beginning of the film, which I also found very original and well done. Recommended!

[Netflix] It is interesting how Sebastián Lelio manages to turn a story about the confrontation between the spiritual and the rational into a proposal about the viewer's gaze, identifying Lib as "the watcher", the one who observes without being able to get involved, but asking at the beginning of the film that we are spectators that we do get involved in the story. And thus changing the way we face the film.

The real wonder here is Florence Pugh’s talent and acting range. Delivering yet another astonishing lead performance. She’s out of this world!

This is an excellent movie FOR ADULTS. If your favorite movies are Marvel movies, this is probably not for you.

In the end the film was about transformation, and with it self-forgiveness. Shedding the skin to fly like a bird outside the cage (thaumatrope), where there was only a rigid conformity. Dealing with trauma can leave one trapped within a mindset. The constant reference to ins and outs throughout the film, even with the lead-in and out revealing of the interior sets (artifice/appearances/fakery><'real'/the relatedness/growth). One does not necessarily need the obsession to be a rigid interpretation of the revelation of religion. It could be any belief that helps disguise the pain and serve as a crutch to think oneself unworthy, of life, of care, and of value. Sometimes, for a time, they are needed, but it the end a healthy mind abandons them and sees beyond construction (cage, fake sets) to the recognition that there is an outside, a place to look with an eagle's eye over your own trauma and see it from a view that enables you to forgive yourself, and move on.

[spoiler] There is the issue of a kind of resurrection as a trope, and obtaining access to heaven, and in this film they were opposed in a very satisfactory manner in creating the arena for the transformation, without harming the belief system entirely. This was really well done. So, even if we can suppose some raised religious fervour among most of the villagers, we must equally recognise a doctor who is convinced that some as yet unexplained scientific phenomenon is responsible. Therefore both have their obsessions. Some X in which to look for a surface that they can bring them comfort. The 'out' of it in this sense, while they miss the 'in'. So in short a psychological release from Egyptian bondage to use religious terminology. A conversion: a renewing of the mind.
The emigration scene at the end with the meal on-set, and then the pan to the actress who played the sister, in the studio in everyday clothing looking at the viewer felt very intrusive, like a challenge. Reminded me that when we move away either briefly or permanently we in fact become free to be different. To reinvent ourselves.[/spoiler]

Religious psychological mystery drama with great atmosphere, score and very slow pacing. A thought provoking piece dealing with science vs. religion. Florence Pugh is stunning as always and I was also impressed by the young talent, Kíla Lord Cassidy gives an emotional performance. Not sure what the fourth wall breaking was all about.

Interesting plot and adequate performances and art production, yet the movie does not bring the thrils that the plot could've given, maybe because of the direction.