‘How to Have Sex’ Movie Review [Sundance 2024]: A Powerful Exploration of Broken Expectations
Photo from Sundance Institute
From Jeff Nelson
Writer/director Molly Manning Walker makes her feature film debut with the remarkably sobering How to Have Sex. Coming-of-age films are a common genre on the festival circuit, but they rarely have the staggering poignance put on display here. Its chaotic, music-pulsating approach to social commentary on youth may draw comparisons to Harmony Korine’s Spring Breakers in some regards, although they’re entirely different beasts worthy of their respective praise.
British teenagers Tara (Mia McKenna-Bruce), Em (Enva Lewis), and Skye (Lara Peake) travel to the party resort of Malia on the Greek island of Crete with plans to party and hook up with other vacationers. However, their trip spirals out of control in ways they could never imagine, as Tara seeks to lose her virginity and her friendships with Em and Skye are put to the ultimate test.
The trio of teenagers arrive on their vacation bursting with energy and excitement after completing their exams, now prepared to blow off some steam. Their first night out is full of exhilaration, but they realize that they aren’t going to find the intimate pleasures they’re seeking while they remain so close to one another. They strike friendships with another group residing at the same resort, including Badger (Shaun Thomas) and his friend, Paddy (Samuel Bottomley). Tara sets her sights on Badger, determined to finally lose her virginity and reach the perceived milestone of womanhood. However, things don’t quite go according to plan.
Walker’s screenplay is largely structured around adolescent expectations, tackling the universal themes of friendship, sexuality, and self-discovery. Teenaged friendships aren’t always the most sincere, while one’s first sexual experience often doesn’t live up to the romanticized ideals projected by media and society, particularly when it comes to consent. Finally, discovering one’s occupational purpose is a substantial hurdle that resides beneath the surface. Tara faces each of these hardships on this short vacation, forcing her to retreat further within herself. She initially places her trust in others with ease, although the world isn’t all so honest and kind.
Nightlife culture can morph from spaces filled with vitality and joy into feelings of total alienation and loneliness, depending upon the mood. How to Have Sex captures this to utter perfection, chronicling Tara dancing to pulsating electronic music, experiencing suggestive games, and spending time by the pool with other partiers. However, the events that unfold between her friends and the newcomers contort her trip into a time of uncertainty, fear, and tension.
Just as much as How to Have Sex is an impressive directorial debut from Walker, it’s also a stunning breakout performance from McKenna-Bruce as Tara. She possesses such astounding control over this character arc, capitalizing on the subtleties in every glance.
Cinematographer Nicolas Canniccioni contrasts the gorgeous sun-kissed Grecian setting by day with lively nightlife, which quickly transforms into claustrophobic locales that feel more like a prison trapping Tara in the very atmosphere that should represent her youthful freedom.
How to Have Sex is a stirring feature film debut that radiates with vulnerability and authenticity, chillingly washing over the soul like cold ocean waves. McKenna-Bruce’s fearless lead performance is one of the picture’s greatest strengths, tapping into a level of emotion that rattles around in the brain for days after the credits are done rolling. It’s a rightfully uncomfortable and distressing watch, made with a great degree of care and sincerity.
Rating: 4/5
How to Have Sex played Sundance 2024 on January 18th, 2024. It hits theaters on February 2nd, 2024.
