In a year when many festival competition titles use scale and stylistic ambition as calling cards, Paul Andrew Williams’s Dragonfly stands out precisely because of its restraint. Developed during the pandemic and written specifically for a small cast and single location, the film (cert tba, 1h40) is a reminder that intimate dramatic filmmaking still has a vital place in the current festival landscape. Williams previously established himself at Edinburgh with London to Brighton (New Director’s Award) and has since worked across both film and high-end television, including Cherry Tree Lane, Bull, The Cottage and Slow Horses, before returning to the festival with this more stripped-back and emotionally focused project.
Starring Andrea Riseborough and Brenda Blethyn, the film begins as a quiet study of two neighbours cautiously building a connection. Their relationship deepens through everyday encounters and unsentimental exchanges — until a decisive event forces a tonal shift and exposes deeper emotional fault lines. Paul carefully avoids overt genre cues. “It’s not a horror film… it’s horrific because it’s happening to people you’ve learned to like.”
Originally conceived during lockdown, Dragonfly was written to be achievable under strict production limitations — “I needed to write something I could film with few actors in a very contained environment”
Both leads deliver excellent performances. Controlled, deeply felt work, supported by the simplicity of the setting and a sharply observed script.
Paul said of the film, “when audiences leave the cinema, I would just like them to look at other people in a new light. Just be aware of other people and question your own judgement”.
Dragonfly is certainly a memorable film and one that surprises, which is rare these days. Plus it has two of the most natural, engaging and stunning performances captured on film and a director that has something to say whilst still creating a film that is entertaining to the masses.
Why see this kind of film in the cinema, without super hero special effects or magical landscapes? Because it can transport you into a world that you don’t know and hopefully will never have too.
