This intense drama has left fans feeling “disturbed” but equally pleased by its “uplifting” finale as they watch an A-list actress take on this historical story.
The Wonder is a psychological period drama that sees Florence Pugh lead a cast in a film directed by Sebastián Lelio, set against the backdrop of an interesting time in UK history. Set shortly after the Great Famine in Ireland, the film sees an English nurse arrive in a rural village to help observe a girl that is ‘fasting’.
The young girl Anna’s story is one of many of those who in the late 19th century were believed to survive without eating at all, with some even claiming to have magical powers. In this case, her family claimed she had not eaten for four months but was miraculously still alive.
It’s Pugh’s character, Elizabeth Wright, whose job it is to assist Sister Michael, played by Josie Walker, and report all of their findings independently to the local council. But as the trauma of the famine still looms heavily over their community, the Irish villagers remain wary of the nurse, as do Anna’s deeply religious family.
A Rotten Tomatoes review praises the film, saying: “The Wonder is mysterious with a disturbing story. Beautiful settings match the film’s perfectly slow pace as Pugh steadily reels you in to the cultish drama. I was very pleased at how the film wrapped up.”
Released in 2022, the film boasts an impressive 85% overall score on the platform, as fans continue to “highly recommend” it to fellow movie buffs. One review reads: “This was a very interesting and well-made movie, and well worth watching.
“Set design, costumes, and acting were all great. It was fascinating to read up on the Fasting Girl phenomenon of the mid-1800s, which this history buff had never heard of.”
Another person added: “Themes of religion, misogyny, and child abuse all make this a pretty dark film. I was relieved at the ‘happy ending’.” While someone else agreed that while the storyline was “disturbing”, the “uplifting” finale was well worth the wait.
For many viewers, the standout of The Wonder was, of course, British actress Florence Pugh, who has taken Hollywood by storm in recent years. Best known for her performances in Little Women, Midsommar, Don’t Worry Darling and Dune, the actress has made her mark on the industry, and this film is no exception to that, according to viewers.
A review reads: “I mean, it’s a Florence Pugh performance; it’s great no matter what. But the movie is also pretty awesome. Highly recommended.”
Even critics of the story itself can’t help but praise the performances from the cast. One said: “Slow going and kind of boring; the acting, on the other hand, was exceptional.”
At the time of its release, the film went on to receive an impressive amount of nominations at the British Independent Film Awards, and Pugh was awarded British/Irish Actress of the Year from the London Film Critics’ Circle. Other notable actors that make up the film include Toby Jones, Elaine Cassidy and Tom Burke.
Meanwhile, another fan put their views of the film quite simply, writing: “A thrilling exorcism of beliefs.” Alongside another review which dubbed the film as “initially a bit slow, but ultimately engrossing and rewarding.”
To engross yourself in a “disturbing” 1 hour and 43 minutes of a psychological period drama, The Wonder is now available to stream on Netflix.