Mandy (Billie Piper) is a mess. A single mum to a young son, she’s constantly

conflicted about her ultra-competitive media career, clashing with her unhappy

parents, and attracted to the wrong men. She’s also smart and self-aware. Acutely

conscious of the demands placed on women to “have it all,” she is still weighed down

by crippling self-esteem issues. When she begins a new relationship with needy,

passive-aggressive Pete (Leo Bill), what could possibly go… right?

Billed as an “anti-rom-com”, this is the debut feature from acclaimed British actress

turned writer-director Piper. It’s a bold, brutally funny, and confrontational look at

modern feminism, the pressures to embody social ideals, accept one’s emotional

fragility and still grapple with one’s personal demons, particularly in light of the

#MeToo movement. Amid a terrific ensemble cast (David Thewlis, Lily James),

Piper’s heartfelt lead performance is unflinching in her lack of emotional and physical

vanity. A rare beast indeed.