Rising star Harris Dickinson has stunned critics with his raw directorial debut, Urchin. The London-born performer is becoming a familar face on the silver screen, having starred in a major erotic thriller alongside Nicole Kidman just last year.
But Dickinson has now established himself as both writer and director with the new dramedy, which has just arrived in cinemas. Featuring fellow British talent Frank Dillane, the movie follows Mike (Dillane), a young addict surviving on London’s streets. Following a particularly brutal spell of crime and violence, Mike appears to finally break free from his desperate cycle, reports the Mirror.
However, according to the synopsis, his fresh journey “curdles into a strange odyssey from which he may never escape”.
Despite marking Dickinson’s first venture behind the camera, Urchin, which he also appears in in a supporting role, has garnered exceptional praise. Rotten Tomatoes critics have awarded the film an impressive 97 per cent score, with one hailing it “one of the year’s best independent British films”.
As the 29-year-old star revels in the critical success, here’s an examination of his career journey.
Dickinson initially gained recognition in Eliza Hittman’s 2017 drama Beach Rats, where he portrayed a troubled teenager discovering his sexuality. Since then, the Londoner featured in Ruben Östlund’s highly acclaimed dark comedy Triangle of Sadness; Sean Durkin’s sports biopic The Iron Claw; and Steve McQueen’s war drama Blitz, alongside Saoirse Ronan.
In 2022, he also featured in the popular thriller Where the Crawdads Sing, a film adaptation of Delia Owens’ bestseller of the same name.
Newcomers to his work will recognise the acclaimed director for his role as Samuel in Halina Reijn’s Babygirl. The steamy psychological thriller sees Dickinson embroiled in a passionate affair with his boss, portrayed by Nicole Kidman.
Dickinson’s career is on an upward trajectory as he has been cast as John Lennon in Sam Mendes’ quartet of biopics about The Beatles, set to debut in 2028.
The remaining members of the legendary band will be played by Paul Mescal (as Paul McCartney), Barry Keoghan (as Ringo Starr) and Joseph Quinn (as George Harrison).
Urchin is in cinemas now