Title: Little Woods
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Nia DaCosta
Starring: Tessa Thompson, Lily James, James Badge Dale
Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins

What It Is: Ollie (Thompson) has only a few days left on her probation. Previously she went to jail for possession and distribution of pills between the United States and Canadian border. Here in her native North Dakota, she tries to provide for herself while helping her sister Deb (James) who’s a single mother. All this following the death of their mother and the mounting debt of trying to maintain her home. The only piece of property the women know.

What We Think: Speaking narratively this is a tightly wound piece. One who’s tension is firmly wrought in all the right ways. Tessa Thompson continues to show how awesome she truly is. Starring in something like this as well as featuring in the gargantuan Avengers: Endgame. Lily James continues to do some excellent work. Cinderella, Baby Driver, and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Let’s hope this continues by both of them. There’s a reality here, an acknowledgment of a real issue with opioid abuse. It’s an uncomfortable discussion but one the film has not shied away from. I loved DaCosta’s direction here. She’s going to be a director on the rise quickly. Already she’s been tasked with remaking the 90’s horror classic Candyman. This got me excited to see that.

Our Grade: B+, If you get the chance to order this one from your video-on-demand service do so. It has all the best hallmarks of films we enjoy. A good script. Elevating performances and fantastic direction. I won’t even pretend to lie this was a surprise for me. Obviously I’m giving this one a glowing recommendation see it as soon as possible. I can promise you will not be disappointed.