‘Dragonfly’ Review: Andrea Riseborough and Brenda Blethyn Dazzle in a Bleak British Shocker

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Blending genres can often be tricky, but some films manage it with great finesse. The recently premiered movie, “Dragonfly,” showcases this skill admirably. Starring two renowned British actresses, Brenda Blethyn and Andrea Riseborough, who were jointly awarded for their performances at the festival, the film initially presents as a deep character study. However, the narrative takes an unexpected turn when a pivotal event disrupts one character’s psyche, veering the movie towards a more horror-infused direction, culminating in a gory climax. Whether this sudden shift in tone will elicit polarized opinions is yet to be seen, but it’s clear that “Dragonfly” leaves a lasting impression on its viewers.

In the story, Blethyn portrays Elsie, an older resident dwelling in a dull apartment complex, attended by caregivers who merely fulfill her essential requirements. Her neighbor Colleen, played by Riseborough, perceives that Elsie might need additional assistance and endeavors to step in, proposing to handle grocery shopping and housekeeping duties. John (Jason Watkins), Elsie’s son, makes sporadic visits and appears wary of Colleen, yet it’s evident he wishes to assume minimal caregiving responsibilities himself.

From the get-go, the bond between these two next-door neighbors seems suspicious, and the fact that Colleen’s big, intimidating pet dog doesn’t ease our apprehensions. When Elsie provides Colleen with money for additional shopping on her behalf, it strikes us as though Colleen might have ulterior motives aside from simple kindness in taking care of her neighbor.

The initial segment of the film delicately portrays the blossoming friendship, moving a bit leisurely, yet it holds our attention due to its tense undertones. Both actresses effectively maintain our focus. Blethyn evokes sympathy without resorting to pleas, and Riseborough consistently exudes authority. Her unexpected Oscar nomination for To Leslie a few years back, beyond being a smart marketing move, served as validation of her talent that she’s been showcasing over the past decade. (Her remarkable acting in a recent Masterpiece Theatre production, Alice & Jack, alongside Domhnall Gleeson, also showcased her vitality and adaptability.)

In the screenplay of “Dragonfly,” there was a slight lack of detailed backstory for the character, Colleen. While it’s clear that Williams aimed to avoid an overly complex psychiatric exploration, a bit more insight into her past could have helped us anticipate the significant transformation in the film’s latter stages. This transformation includes some surprising twists and turns that left the Tribeca audience utterly astounded, with many even gasping and shouting out loud.

Is the tonal shift here somewhat over-the-top or even cheesy? It might be, and the movie may not appeal to everyone’s preferences. However, it is an expertly crafted exploration of fear. Williams seems to have learned a thing or two from studying some of Hitchcock’s films, and he has subtly incorporated some of the master’s techniques into his work.

This movie may be low-key, but its chills linger, and the two leads bring a humane touch often missing in horror flicks. A shrewd distributor would do well to acquire it.

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2025-06-18 05:24