Dragonfly (2025 film)
| Dragonfly | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Paul Andrew Williams |
| Screenplay by | Paul Andrew Williams |
| Produced by |
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| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Vanessa Whyte |
| Edited by | Nina Annan |
| Music by | Raffertie |
Production companies |
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Release date |
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Running time | 98 minutes[2] |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
Dragonfly is a 2025 British film drama written and directed by Paul Andrew Williams and starring Andrea Riseborough and Brenda Blethyn with Jason Watkins.
Premise
An elderly woman is befriended by a lonely neighbour who may have ulterior motives.[3]
Cast
- Andrea Riseborough as Colleen
- Brenda Blethyn as Elsie
- Jason Watkins as John
Production
The film is written and directed by Paul Andrew Williams, who wrote the script during the Covid-19 pandemic and the film was designed to be shot under pandemic restrictions, although principal photography did not take place until after the pandemic restrictions had ended. The character of Elsie contains characteristics close to his own mother and maternal grandmother. Actress Andrea Riseborough had a high degree of creative input into the costume of her character Colleen.[4] It is also starring and Brenda Blethyn as Elsie with Jason Watkins cast as her son.[2][5]
The film is produced by Giant Productions and Meraki Films with Marie-Elena Dyche and Dominic Tighe as producers.[6]
Release
The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival in June 2025 ahead of its British premiere at the Edinburgh Film Festival in August 2025.[7]
Reception
Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, Dragonfly holds an approval rating of 93% from 14 reviews.[8]
Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian described the film as "stark, fierce, wonderfully acted", and "riveting" with "elements of Mike Leigh but also moments of thriller and even horror".[9]
Accolades
At the Tribeca Festival in New York, Blethyn and Riseborough received a joint performance award in June 2025.[10] The following month, it won the international feature award at the Galway Film Fleadh in Ireland.[11]
References
- ^ https://tribecafilm.com/films/dragonfly-2025
- ^ a b Wise, Damon (June 6, 2025). "'Dragonfly' Review: Andrea Riseborough And Brenda Blethyn Give Wings To Paul Andrew Williams' Poignant Neighborhood Drama – Tribeca Film Festival". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ Farber, Stephen (June 17, 2025). "'Dragonfly' Review: Andrea Riseborough and Brenda Blethyn Dazzle in a Bleak British Shocker". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ Huff, Matthew (June 16, 2025). "In 'Dragonfly,' Andrea Riseborough's Canine Co-Star Even Has an Interesting Backstory (Exclusive)". Parade. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ "Good Neighbours? Andrea Riseborough and Brenda Blethyn star in fragile story of friendship in 'Dragonfly'". BBC News. July 3, 2025. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ Ide, Wendy (July 5, 2025). "Dragonfly' review: Andrea Riseborough and Brenda Blethyn headline potent Paul Andrew Williams drama". Screen Daily. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ Anderton, Joe (July 2, 2025). "Brenda Blethyn's "gripping" and "shocking" British thriller confirms first UK screening". Digital Spy. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ "Dragonfly". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
- ^ Bradshaw, Peter (June 7, 2025). "Dragonfly review – haunting, genre-defying drama of lonely city living". The Guardian. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ Lewis, Hilary (June 12, 2025). "'Charliebird,' 'Happy Birthday,' 'Natchez' Top Tribeca Festival Award Winners". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
- ^ Abbatescianni, Davide (July 15, 2025). "The 37th Galway Film Fleadh crowns Brendan Canty's Christy as its champion". Cineuropa.org. Retrieved July 16, 2025.