Erupcja (2026)
Travel can be a profound experience. The ability to change one's setting, embrace new cultures, and meet previously unknown people can offer life-changing understandings of both oneself and the world. One of these understandings is of how much the world changes around us. Returning to a place previously visited gives the perspective of how society and individuals evolve. For example, a city might replace its old trains with new models. This repeated travel also gives the perspective of what has remained the same. In Pete Ohs' Erupcja, Bethany (Charli XCX) experiences these reactions as she visits Warsaw with her boyfriend, Rob (Will Madden). Originally meant to be a quick romantic getaway before they go home to London, the pair ends up getting their travel plans delayed. While Rob plans for them to enjoy their days together, including planning a surprise proposal, Bethany instead focuses her time on reconnecting with Nel (Lena Góra), a local florist whom Bethany met on a class trip to Warsaw when she was a teenager. The pair party and spend their time away from their normal lives, rekindling their deep connection and intimacy.
Erupcja is a film that seeks to engross the audience in the experiences of its main characters. Rather than just showing the drama on screen, the film works to make the audience an active participant. Pete Ohs shows a masterful eye for developing texture and substance in his portrayal of Warsaw. From the rumbling of suitcases being rolled across a sidewalk to the deep roar of the trains passing through the train station, Warsaw becomes a character of its own, feeling alive and breathing. The audience is transported to the city, as if they were visiting the city themselves alongside Bethany and Rob. This naturally creates engagement from the audience, forming a deeper connection to the film's characters and their emotional journeys. The handheld cinematography, also by Ohs, further works to engulf the audience.
This is then enhanced by the thoughtfulness both in the film's screenplay and performances. The film is smart in how it unravels itself and the relationship shared between Bethany and Nel. By letting Chari XCX and Lena Góra first establish the characters' infectious connection and energy, the film establishes a solid emotional foundation to build off of, never feeling overly written or forced as the pair makes more and more questionable decisions. While the character of Rob is often left in the background of the narrative, his inclusion is crucial for the film's effectiveness. Rob is not an absent force in Bethany's life. He desires to connect with her and give her support as a partner, but finds himself shoved to the side. For some reason, he cannot fill the role he desires in Bethany's life, one that Nel seems to immediately be successful at speaking to. There is an intimacy and vulnerability shared between Bethany and Nel that is effortless and deep. Bethany's lack of connection to her everyday personal life is mirrored by Nel, who faces her own struggles connecting to Ula (Agata Trzebuchowska), whom she has casually been dating. While Rob seems understanding of the distance, Ula is frustrated by it and pushes Nel for more. This is an ambitious scope, but the film manages to hold the conversation in a purposefully brief 71-minute runtime.
The film's screenplay perfectly handles these dynamics, never succumbing to melodrama and never feeling unnatural as it builds the complexity of these relationships. There are many angles one can use to understand the connection between Bethany and Nel, with the film opening itself wonderfully to different interpretations and understandings. There is a sapphic core to these characters that adds another layer of meaning without overtaking the feature. Part of the reason these layered characters and relationships feel so effective is the quality of performance throughout the film. Góra is undeniable in the film's lead role, bringing nuance to how the character interacts with the world and her own doubts. Charli also delivers the best performance of her career so far. While she is given less substance to work with than Góra, Charli still proves to have an emotional rawness and introspection that feels authentic. In supporting roles, both Madden and Trzebuchowska are notably strong.
There is a beauty captured in Erupcja. A beauty of connection and freedom, a beauty of feeling safe enough to dance and be messy, a beauty of travel and the uncomfortable. Ohs never loses control of his feature, picking a path closer to the work of Linklater than The Safdie Brothers. While it is obvious the film carries a smaller budget and lacks some of the cinematic quality of larger releases, this only works to make the film feel more endearing. Everyone will be able to find something within Erupcja that they can relate to, becoming a film destined to meaningfully speak to audiences and leave an impact.
Erupcja is a film that seeks to engross the audience in the experiences of its main characters. Rather than just showing the drama on screen, the film works to make the audience an active participant. Pete Ohs shows a masterful eye for developing texture and substance in his portrayal of Warsaw. From the rumbling of suitcases being rolled across a sidewalk to the deep roar of the trains passing through the train station, Warsaw becomes a character of its own, feeling alive and breathing. The audience is transported to the city, as if they were visiting the city themselves alongside Bethany and Rob. This naturally creates engagement from the audience, forming a deeper connection to the film's characters and their emotional journeys. The handheld cinematography, also by Ohs, further works to engulf the audience.
This is then enhanced by the thoughtfulness both in the film's screenplay and performances. The film is smart in how it unravels itself and the relationship shared between Bethany and Nel. By letting Chari XCX and Lena Góra first establish the characters' infectious connection and energy, the film establishes a solid emotional foundation to build off of, never feeling overly written or forced as the pair makes more and more questionable decisions. While the character of Rob is often left in the background of the narrative, his inclusion is crucial for the film's effectiveness. Rob is not an absent force in Bethany's life. He desires to connect with her and give her support as a partner, but finds himself shoved to the side. For some reason, he cannot fill the role he desires in Bethany's life, one that Nel seems to immediately be successful at speaking to. There is an intimacy and vulnerability shared between Bethany and Nel that is effortless and deep. Bethany's lack of connection to her everyday personal life is mirrored by Nel, who faces her own struggles connecting to Ula (Agata Trzebuchowska), whom she has casually been dating. While Rob seems understanding of the distance, Ula is frustrated by it and pushes Nel for more. This is an ambitious scope, but the film manages to hold the conversation in a purposefully brief 71-minute runtime.
The film's screenplay perfectly handles these dynamics, never succumbing to melodrama and never feeling unnatural as it builds the complexity of these relationships. There are many angles one can use to understand the connection between Bethany and Nel, with the film opening itself wonderfully to different interpretations and understandings. There is a sapphic core to these characters that adds another layer of meaning without overtaking the feature. Part of the reason these layered characters and relationships feel so effective is the quality of performance throughout the film. Góra is undeniable in the film's lead role, bringing nuance to how the character interacts with the world and her own doubts. Charli also delivers the best performance of her career so far. While she is given less substance to work with than Góra, Charli still proves to have an emotional rawness and introspection that feels authentic. In supporting roles, both Madden and Trzebuchowska are notably strong.
There is a beauty captured in Erupcja. A beauty of connection and freedom, a beauty of feeling safe enough to dance and be messy, a beauty of travel and the uncomfortable. Ohs never loses control of his feature, picking a path closer to the work of Linklater than The Safdie Brothers. While it is obvious the film carries a smaller budget and lacks some of the cinematic quality of larger releases, this only works to make the film feel more endearing. Everyone will be able to find something within Erupcja that they can relate to, becoming a film destined to meaningfully speak to audiences and leave an impact.