The Wonder

Directed by Sebastián Lelio, with a screenplay by Alice Birch and Emma Donoghue based on her novel. Florence Pugh is Elizabeth Wright an English nurse invited over to 19th century Ireland to evaluate the “miraculous” story of Anna (Kíla Lord Cassidy) a young girl who has not eaten for four months, claiming to be sustained by no more than her faith. Wright, alongside local Nun (Josie Walker), has been invited by the villages committee to come and observe and understand as to whether it is a miracle or a hoax. As Elizabeth gets to know Anna and her family however, she learns the truth of what is happening. Becoming more desperate as she sees Anna’s story move towards it inevitable conclusion.

The Wonder is a story about stories and sets its stall out early as to exactly what we are watching. It looks at how stories become beliefs and how beliefs are used. Used by those wanting to exert control, by abusers, the abused and those masking the darkness of their own reality or memories.

The Wonder is a dark and compelling watch, especially as the horrific nature of Anna’s “miracle” becomes clear as does who is empowering it and what they are hiding. It is a slow burn of a film and for some maybe too slow. But for me, the intrigue of the story paired with the always magnetic presence of Pugh kept me thoroughly engaged.

However, it is the power of the ending that brings the story together. Not just the dark reveal of Anna’s reality, but also the reveal of the films algorical nature which puts a whole new slant on it.

Performances are strong, Pugh is of course excellent and is well supported by the ensemble cast, Tom Burke, Ciarán Hinds, Toby Jones and Elaine Cassidy amongst others.

It looks great and beautifully portrays Wright’s isolation as both the watcher and an outsider, with a suitably dark and horror inflected score.

While its pacing and darkness of its story won’t be for everyone, I found The Wonder dark and intriguing. It is an intelligent look at how stories are used for good and bad and it’s allegorical nature leaves you with plenty to think about.