Urchin: A Gripping Yet Frustrating Look at Addiction

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Follows Frank Dillane, previously known for his role in ‘Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince’, as Mike, a Londoner who has been homeless for five years. Despite numerous attempts to improve his situation, he battles with addiction issues that keep him trapped in a self-destructive pattern. Even acts of kindness from strangers can set off unpredictable behavior from Mike at inconvenient times. An instance occurred when a man named Simon offered to buy him food; instead of being grateful, Mike assaulted him and stole his watch.

The mugging appears to be the pivotal incident that sets Mike on a depressing downward trajectory. Yet, first-time director Harris Dickinson, who also penned the script, doesn’t lay everything out immediately. Following Mike’s arrest and imprisonment, he received assistance from social services upon his release, managing to stay sober for seven months. A local hotel then employed him as a chef at an entry level, and he formed friendships with his colleagues, frequently going out with them to sing karaoke. Mike’s life was showing signs of improvement thanks to the restorative justice program, allowing him to regain control over his life.

It’s A Tough Battle Between Frustration & Empathy Throughout Urchin

With movies like these, joyful moments tend to be fleeting. The initial robbery in Dickinson serves to highlight Mike’s underlying issue – his lack of accountability, which fuels his addiction struggles. When adversity strikes Mike, it seems like things always happen to him rather than because of him. This recurring pattern lends a frustrating tone to Harris’ script, overshadowing the compassionate narrative he aims to convey. It appears that Mike also grapples with mental health issues, yet these aspects of his life remain unexplored in the script, leaving us to assume that he lacks the determination to accept responsibility for his actions.

As a movie lover, I must say that what’s captivating about “Urchin” is its knack for instilling optimism from the get-go. The most compelling aspect of this lies in the fresh connections Mike forges throughout the narrative, which seemingly guide him towards sobriety and stability. However, these bonds, much like the unpredictable nature of addiction, are fleeting, serving as an intriguing metaphor for the volatility of such struggles. If given more room to breathe, this oscillating pattern could have provided a comprehensive portrayal. Regrettably, Dickinson decides to excise certain scenes (and characters) from the story at precisely the moment they start leaving their mark.

Urchin’s Fragmented Storytelling & Artistic Sequencing Make It Memorable

Although it’s unclear exactly what events caused Mike to spiral into a state of irresponsibility and addiction, this ambiguity doesn’t detract from the film. Instead, it enhances it. The disjointed storyline frequently triggers feelings of empathy, annoyance, and intrigue, making Urchin stand out. Dickinson combines this style with striking visuals and sequences that seem to come from a completely different movie. Despite the fact that these elements sometimes appear disconnected, the way they intertwine Mike’s chaotic life with Dickinson’s unique aesthetic is commendable.

In movies, many chaotic scenes involving trains might lead us to pass judgment. However, it’s Dillane’s skill in portraying a childlike character that encourages us to withhold final opinions. Mike is not skilled at decision-making, and his inability to foresee the results of any action frequently underlies his behavioral issues. Given these circumstances, it’s no wonder that Dillane’s acting choices reflect this. What makes this performance intriguing and captivating is its ability to guide the audience emotionally in any direction at any given moment.

Simply put, watching “Urchin” isn’t a breeze. The storyline, particularly Mike’s struggles and decisions, can sometimes give the impression that a time bomb is about to detonate. However, Dickinson’s knack as a writer-director lies in evoking some sort of emotion from viewers, whether positive or negative. Frank Dillane elevates this even more by delivering an emotionally tumultuous performance that sees his character swing between instability and fleeting moments of joy. To sum up, while the subject matter may challenge our perspectives on addiction and homelessness, Dillane’s acting makes it a compelling viewing experience, making it worthwhile to confront these difficult themes.

Urchin premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

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2025-05-22 04:29