An impressive directing debut for Kristen Stewart who’s adapted Lidia Yuknavitch’s memoir in a way that seems to offer no compromises.

It’s a diary of a woman who grew up in an abusive household and found a motivation to go on through competitive swimming and writing – the latter part is what kept her going as she struggled with addiction and its nihilistic consequences. Jim Belushi is perfectly cast as Ken Kesey, who played a part in Yuknavitch’s literary education, and Imogen Poots offers a no-holds-barred performance.

Uneven, but often darkly compelling.

2025-U.S.-France-Latvia-U.K. 128 min. Color. Written and directed by Kristen Stewart. Book: Lidia Yuknavitch. Cast: Imogen Poots (Lidia Yuknavitch), Thora Birch (Claudia), Susannah Flood (Dorothy), Tom Sturridge, Kim Gordon, Michael Epp, Jim Belushi. 

Trivia: Co-produced by Stewart and Ridley Scott.