Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Slow
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- intimate
- melancholic
- austere
- quiet evening
- reflective viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an austere, unconventional, and deeply absorbing portrait of artistic formation and destructive intimacy, led by exceptionally interlocked performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Joanna Hogg reshapes autobiographical material into a piecemeal portrait of Julie’s formative relationship and artistic development.
The film uses unemphasized performances, restrained observation, and slow-burn accumulation to render Julie and Anthony’s relationship suffocating.
Julie’s film-school education and filmmaking ambitions develop alongside her attempt to understand a consuming relationship.
Anthony’s untrustworthiness and drug addiction shape Julie’s increasingly destructive attachment to him.
Films like The Souvenir, and why
The Worst Person in the World
intimate, autobiographical-feeling coming-of-age drama about a young artist and a destructive romantic relationship
Certain Women
formally restrained character study of artistic identity, emotional dependency, and difficult memory
Blue Valentine
quietly devastating portrait of toxic intimacy and a woman’s developing self-understanding
Day for Night
self-reflexive filmmaker drama blending creative development with personal upheaval
Movie Details
- Director
- Joanna Hogg
- Release Date
- 2019-05-17
- Runtime
- 120 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (291)
Cast
- Honor Swinton Byrne
- Tom Burke
- Tilda Swinton
- Richard Ayoade
- Ariane Labed
- Jaygann Ayeh
- Jack McMullen
- Chyna Terrelonge Vaughan
- Tosin Cole
- Hannah Ashby Ward
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Souvenir about?
- A young filmmaker’s artistic awakening becomes inseparable from her entanglement with an alluring, deceptive, and destructive lover.
- What is The Souvenir like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Souvenir as slow, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Souvenir violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Souvenir as mild.
- What did critics think of The Souvenir?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an austere, unconventional, and deeply absorbing portrait of artistic formation and destructive intimacy, led by exceptionally interlocked performances.
- Which films are like The Souvenir?
- Films with a similar feel include The Worst Person in the World, Certain Women, Blue Valentine, and Day for Night.
- How long is The Souvenir?
- The Souvenir runs 120 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Souvenir?
- In United States, The Souvenir is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
