Synopsis
One terrible decision leaves schoolteacher Maria with a problem, a problem that brings surprising outcomes that leave her in a moral quandary.
Directed by Jonatan Etzler
Written by Jess O'Kane and Rasmus Lindgren
Starring Saoirse Ronan, Eddie Waller, Nia Brown & Sean Gilder
Released no current release date, festival screenings only
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| Sadly, there's no trailer for Bad Apples at present. |
Review
Saoirse Ronan has officially lost the plot, and I mean that as the highest possible compliment. In Bad Apple, she’s completely feral in the best ways, twitchy energy, sharp grins, and emotional chaos. From the first frame, my jaw was on the floor and it genuinely never got back up again.
The film pairs Ronan’s Maria with Pauline (played with unhinged brilliance by Nia Brown). The two of them on screen together? Absolute madness. Every conversation feels like a ticking time bomb, you know something’s rotten, and you can’t look away.
Then there’s Eddie Waller as Danny, our titular “bad apple”. He’s not your typical villain, more like heartbreak in human form. His dynamic with Maria had me doing that uncomfortable laugh-cry where you’re not sure if you want to hug them or call a therapist. The emotional tension? Off the charts.
Suddenly I find myself sitting there questioning my morals and sympathising with people who probably shouldn’t be sympathised with?? What is this film doing to me!?
The film’s conclusion wraps things up in a neat enough bow, though it flirts with chaos one last time. Personally, this sort of ending would have had me reeling, but I actually wasn't mad about it. There's a first time for everything I guess!
Bad Apple is deliciously deranged, weirdly cathartic, and left me emotionally bruised. Ronan proves once again that no one does “spiralling woman on the edge” like her, and I was right there with her the entire time.
What you should do
Some caution may be needed, as it is a potentially stressful topic, but it's a must watch if you can... that is, if it ever gets distribution.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
It's probably safer that nothing is taken home from this one. Even a small fraction of Pauline's confidence may be too dangerous.
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