Aubrey Plaza turns in another charismatic performance as a writer-director who finds herself the sole guest at an artists’ retreat.
Allison (Plaza, Ingrid Goes West) is staying with Gabe (Christopher Abbott, Possessor) and Blair (Sarah Gadon, Alias Grace_) at a rural retreat the couple have chosen as a way of escaping the frenzy of metropolitan life and as a possible residence for creatives. But Allison might not be their dream guest. Not easy to get on with, she brings out the worst in Gabe and Blair. But is the unfolding action really what’s happening. Or is it just a scene from Allison’s next script playing out in her head. With echoes of the recent Queen of Earth and more than a hint of the narrative gymnastics of Charlie Kaufman, Lawrence Michael Levine’s film walks a tightrope between comedy and thriller. It’s perfect material for Plaza, who revels in edgy ambiguity, while the film keeps us guessing through to the end.
★★★★ “An unflinchingly honest psychological drama, anchored by a riveting Aubrey Plaza” - David Hughes, Empire
★★★★ “Aubrey Plaza hits career high in ingenious meta-movie” - Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
