Synopsis
England, 1969. The fascinating Abbie and the troubled Lydia are great friends. After an unexpected tragedy occurs in the strict girls' school they attend, a mysterious epidemic of fainting breaks out that threatens the mental sanity and beliefs of the tormented people involved, both teachers and students.
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Cast
- Maisie WilliamsLydia Lamont
- Maxine PeakeEileen Lamont
- Greta ScacchiMiss Edith Mantel
- Monica DolanMiss Martha Alvaro
- Mathew BayntonMr. Hopkins
- Florence PughAbbie Mortimer
- Joe ColeKenneth Lamont
- Morfydd ClarkMiss Pamela Charron
- Anna BurnettSusan
- Hannah Rose CatonTitch
Recommendations
- 100
The Guardian
This is terrific film-making – enough to bring a rush of blood to the head. - 80
The Telegraph
For all The Falling’s period trimmings, its uncanny power resides in these ellipses and blackouts – in elements that cannot be easily rationalised. - 80
Time Out London
This dizzying, courageous, utterly humane and slightly unhinged film is a unique achievement. - 80
Total Film
Ambiguity is The Falling’s currency, and it’s all the richer for it. - 70
Variety
Morley marries a quasi-Victorian premise with a modernist technique that feels drawn from her film’s own milieu. - 67
The Playlist
Every time the picture opens a fascinating door, you're held back from going through by a naff filmmaking choice or a rote story move. - 60
Empire
Carol Morley’s film has a lot going for it, not least a thick, vaporous atmosphere, alive with unease and sexual anxiety, and an eye-catching debut from the casually charismatic Florence Pugh. - 60
CineVue
The Falling's refreshingly all-female perspective expects the viewer to become wholly caught up in its broad surge of feeling, yet there's something unsatisfactory and disaffecting about the film's asinine finale.
