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Geek Vibes Nation
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Hot Milk' Review - Familiar Threads Tied Together By Propulsive Performances
There are flickers of madness billowing beneath the surface as Sofia (Emma Mackey) spends her days tending to her ill mother Rose (Fiona Shaw). Their mother-daughter bond is the epitome of a codependent relationship, and Rose takes on an almost vampiric facade vis-à-vis Sofia. She is zapping life and energy from her daughter, who has a straightforward desire to be free. Hot Milk is as much a battle cry for independence as it is a deconstructive and tragic character study. A pervasive sense of duplicity pervades the bewildered stares and fragmented discussions. A wide-ranging look at trauma and generational baggage, Hot Milk is far from a revolutionary enterprise. Still, it does possess a spirit thanks to the volatile performances by Mackey and Shaw. Set in the scorching summer heat, in the Spanish seaside town of Almería, Sofia takes her mother Rose to consult with a shamanic doctor who possibly holds the cure to the mysterious illness that has left her in a wheelchair. The years of caring for her ill have zapped Sofia of any spirit or zest for life. However, that all changes when she meets Ingrid (Vicky Krieps), an enigmatic traveler who helps her shed her inhibitions and sets her on a course to break free from her controlling mother. As she wrestles with her guilt, resentments, and bitter trauma, the mother-daughter relationship begins to spiral out of control. Fiona Shaw and Emma Mackey in Rebecca Lenkiewicz's HOT MILK. Courtesy of Nikos Nikolopoulos. An IFC Films Release. The greatest strength of Hot Milk is the pairing of Mackey and Shaw as daughter and mother. Their relationship is built on fragile grounds, and the film brings us into the fold from the start. Instantly, we are aware of the fractuous nature made as a result of Rose's condition. Through her dealings with the doctor (Vincent Perez) and her own conflicting statements, we begin to realize Rose's condition is more psychological than physiological. The tension is equivalent to someone dropping a match in a closet and letting the flame slowly burn until the house becomes completely engulfed. Mackey projects a cautious demeanor at the start. Even as her patience grows paper-thin with her mother, she wears a mask. Her point of view is directionless as she goes through life, merely counting the days. At one point, her character is stung by a jellyfish, and it is in this moment that we see that Sofia is desperate to feel anything, even pain. Her life is a series of tragedies and entrapments; she sees the world moving past her while she remains in neutral, not unlike her mother. 'The Ugly Stepsister' Review - The Grimmest Fairy Tale Fiona Shaw and Emma Mackey in Rebecca Lenkiewicz's HOT MILK. Courtesy of Nikos Nikolopoulos. An IFC Films Release. Enter Ingrid, who, as a character, is essentially an enigma, but she is not there to reveal much about herself or add little more than tangential specks to the story. Her function is a trigger for Sofia. As they fall into an intimate relationship, Sofia learns more about herself and ends up seeing Ingrid as a mirror image of herself. A woman beset by tragedy, forever living in the past. This revelation is a jumping-off point for Sofia, who sheds her wallflower demeanor and blossoms. Now the film is clever as it never endorses nor rejects Sofia's transformation. Here is where the film works best as a character study. The destructive and controlling nature of Rose leads Sofia into a dark place. As the summer heat takes its toll, we see a change. Rose, for her part, remains the same, ultimately making this Sofia's story. She is the one transforming and, in a way, becoming free. Vicky Krieps and Emma Mackey in Rebecca Lenkiewicz's HOT MILK. Courtesy of Nikos Nikolopoulos. An IFC Films Release. Conversely, the film suffers in part by playing with familiar material we have seen in countless films. Portrait of a Lady on Fire comes to mind. So, in a way, Hot Milk is not stale, but repetitive. In addition, the ending is likely to make it or break it for audiences. It is far from a shocking conclusion, but some may question if the construction of the story justifies it. For this observer, the ending has a payoff that, while expected, is the perfect conclusion for Sofia's character. Again, Mackey commands our full attention and leaves in both shock and awe. Hot Milk is unlikely to start a whirlwind of discussion based on its plot, but the intricate nature of the story and the arresting performances give it something to say. Shaw proves indomitable, and Mackey is a wonderful chameleon as she blossoms from a wallflower into a wily wildflower. Hot Milk is currently playing in select theaters courtesy of IFC Films.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fiona Shaw ‘quite excited to see who's going to play me 30 years younger' in upcoming Killing Eve prequel
Fiona Shaw has said she is 'quite excited to see who's going to play me 30 years younger' in the upcoming Killing Eve prequel Honey, which is set to air on the BBC. The 66-year-old actor, best known for playing Carolyn Martens in the award-winning spy thriller, made the remark as she spoke to about her new film Hot Milk when she addressed the spin-off series. 'They told me about it, but you know, that's the awful thing, isn't it?' she said. Fiona added: 'Decades later, you're somebody else. I don't know who that is.' Honey, first announced by the BBC in March 2025, will act as a prequel to Killing Eve, exploring the backstory of Fiona's MI6 boss character, Carolyn Martens. Set in East Berlin in 1982, the six-part drama follows a 24-year-old Carolyn – operating under the alias Marta – as she works undercover as a deep cover British intelligence agent. Fiona will not reprise her role, as the story is set decades before the events of Killing Eve. No casting has been confirmed for the series. However, the BBC has described the show as a 'tender and flirty, slick and dangerous darkly comedic Cold War thriller'. According to the official synopsis, Marta will be 'surrounded by enemies and constantly under threat of her cover being blown' while navigating life in a divided city. She finds herself in a tangled web of espionage and attraction as she is 'caught between Friedrich Bauman, the new Head of Counter Espionage for the Stasi, and Aaron Neeland, a reckless, arrogant – and incredibly attractive – CIA operative'. Emma Moran, creator of the Disney Plus series Extraordinary, is the writer of Honey. Announcing the project, Emma said: 'Romantic comedy plus espionage is a dream combination for me.' She added that the series would explore 'the sexy madness of our version of Cold War East Berlin.' The series is being developed by the BBC, though a release date has not yet been announced. Fiona is currently promoting Hot Milk, a film adaptation of Deborah Levy's 2016 novel.
Irish Independent
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Here's who Kerry International Film Festival have chosen as recipient of 2025 Maureen O'Hara Award
First introduced in 2008, the Maureen O'Hara Award was among the earliest accolades dedicated solely to recognising the achievements of women in film and television. The inaugural recipient was Oscar-winning actress Brenda Fricker, and over the years, the award has honoured a diverse range of women both in front of and behind the camera, most recently producer Rebecca O'Flanagan in 2024. Fiona Shaw, widely regarded as one of Ireland's finest actors, has enjoyed an illustrious career across both stage and screen. Known for her powerful performances in productions such as Electra and As You Like It, she has twice received the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress (1990, 1994), was appointed CBE in 2001 for services to drama, and earned a Tony Award nomination in 2002 for her performance in Medea on Broadway. Shaw made her film debut in Jim Sheridan's My Left Foot (1989) and has since built a prolific screen career with credits including The Butcher Boy (1997), The Tree of Life (2011), Ammonite (2020), and more recently Hot Milk and Park Avenue (both 2025). She is also well known for her role as Petunia Dursley in the Harry Potter films (2001–2010). On television, Shaw earned widespread acclaim for her performance in Killing Eve (2018–2022), which won her a BAFTA and multiple Emmy nominations. Additional notable roles include appearances in Fleabag (2019), for which she received another Emmy nod, and Andor (2022), which brought further BAFTA and Critics Choice Super Award nominations. Speaking about receiving the award, Fiona Shaw had the following to say: "Maureen O'Hara took on studio sexism despite knowing it would limit her career, but she herself was limitless - on and off screen. As well as being the iconic strong and fiery redhead, Maureen played vulnerability and tenderness, defying the one-dimensional roles often written for women. Maureen did all her own stunts, was a trained opera singer, and a pioneering woman in the aviation business. "All this, and she was an absolute looker. I hate her! I jest. I adore Maureen, and I am thrilled to be the 2025 recipient of the Kerry International Film Festival (KIFF) Maureen O'Hara Award. It puts me in great company - women who have played a blinder, both in front of and behind the camera. Film needs women just as the world needs women - all kinds. We can never forget that if we are to explore and celebrate the full spectrum of humanity". "The KIFF Board are thrilled to have Fiona awarded this honour. She's, quite simply, a living legend both on and off-screen. We couldn't be happier," added KIFF Chair Ailbhe Keogan. Fiona Shaw will be honoured with an official award ceremony in Kerry later in the year. Stay tuned to KIFF's social media for further information. KIFF extends sincere thanks to its headline sponsor Kerry Airport, and appreciates the support of The Arts Council of Ireland, Kerry County Council, Fáilte Ireland, and the many local businesses whose contributions help make the festival possible.
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Woman's Hour Fiona Shaw, Prositution Law, Director Rebecca Frecknall
Award-winning actor Fiona Shaw has starred in Killing Eve, Bad Sisters, Fleabag, True Detective: Night Country, Echo Valley and even as Aunt Petunia in Harry Potter, among many other things. She's won and been nominated for several Laurence Olivier awards for her work on stage and she's even directed opera. Now starring in a new film adaptation of Deborah Levy's novel, Hot Milk, Fiona plays Rose, who goes to Almería, Spain with her daughter, Sofia, played by the brilliant Emma Mackey, to try to find a cure for Rose's mysterious paralysis at an experimental clinic. Fiona joins Nuala McGovern live in the studio to discuss it. The Scottish Parliament is looking for opinions on a proposed bill which would change the laws on prostitution in the country. It targets those who buy sexual services by creating a new criminal offence of paying for a sexual act. If passed, it would criminalise those buying sex, while decriminalising those selling it. The woman behind the bill, MSP Ash Regan, speaks to Woman's Hour about why she wants the change, and responds to criticisms that it could make sex work less safe. Today government ministers have launched a review of UK parental leave and pay to reset the system and speaking yesterday the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said people were scared of having children because of the high costs and she wanted 'more young people to have children, if they so choose'. But getting to become a parent can sometimes require ongoing fertility treatment meaning time away from work. And Fertility Matters at Work are calling for those undergoing this support to have the legal right to take time off for their appointments. They've published a report on it and the author Becky Kearns joins Nuala. She's the co-founder and CEO of Fertility Matters at Work. A new production of Eugene O'Neill's A Moon for the Misbegotten, starring Ruth Wilson, is on at the Almeida theatre in London. Nuala is joined by multi award-winning director Rebecca Frecknall to discuss the central character Josie, and why the father-daughter relationship at the heart of the play spoke to her. Women's cricket in England has been through trials and tribulations recently. The team lost 16-0 to Australia in the Women's Ashes at the start of this year, and were knocked out of the T20 World Cup at the end of last year. But in June, after the appointment of a new coach and captain, had a clean sweep in their T20 series against the West Indies. Now they're facing India in a series of T20 matches, and suffered a defeat in their first match. Player, commentator and podcast host Melissa Story shares her thoughts on the team's performance, as well as what's happening in women's cricket on a local level. Presenter: Nuala McGovern Producer: Emma Pearce
Daily Mail
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Paul Mescal was my co-star - but I'd never seen Normal People and had no idea he was so famous... until I saw him get mobbed by swooning fans
He's one of Hollywood's hottest heartthrobs, especially after showing off his ripped body in Gladiator II. Yet while millions of women would kill to be in the company of Paul Mescal, actress Patsy Ferran spent countless hours on stage and in rehearsal with the Normal People star, without having a clue quite who he was. It was only when she saw crowds of swooning fans gathered outside the stage door after their performances of A Streetcar Named Desire in London that the penny finally dropped. 'That's when it really dawned on me how well-known he is,' the 35-year-old actress, tells You magazine today. 'I knew of him, obviously, but I somehow was living under a rock the whole time Normal People came out, so I hadn't seen it.' She did then watch the coming-of-age drama Aftersun, for which Mescal earned an Oscar nomination. 'I told him how much I enjoyed it. And he went, 'Thanks very much.' 'Then, cut to doing the play in the evening, I looked at him from across the stage, and I just thought, 'Oh my god!' I got really fan-girly and flustered.' They were appearing together at London's Almeida Theatre, before Mescal had been cast in the ancient Roman epic. Critics raved that the Spanish-British actress upstaged her better-known co-star and she has gone on to be compared to acting greats Maggie Smith, Judi Dench and Glenda Jackson. Her latest film, Hot Milk, is released on Friday and co-stars Fiona Shaw. And she appears opposite George Clooney in the ensemble comedy-drama Jay Kelly due out in December. In contrast to her experiences with Mescal, Patsy said she was starstruck working with Clooney. She said: 'It was just a crazy experience. You've been watching these people your whole life and when they walk into your own reality, it's like a glitch... You're not supposed to be real!'
