October 17, 2025
FILM: URCHIN
DIRECTED BY: HARRIS DICKINSON
STARRING: FRANK DILLANE, MEGAN NORTHAM, KARYNA KHYMCHUK
RATING: 2 ½ out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
You might know director/writer Harris Dickinson more for his performances in some high-profile films in recent years, such as Babygirl, The Iron Claw, and Triangle of Sadness. This is his first full-length feature, mostly behind the camera (he also has a small, uncredited role in the film.) It’s an interesting choice for a project because it depicts a character who is down on his luck and can’t seem to take advantage of the potential good around him. This results in a rather grim story that we hope will lead to some redemption but is more cynical than that.
Frank Dillane (Astral, Fear of the Walking Dead) stars as Mike, a man who, at the start of the film is living in the streets, has a history of convictions, and is about to land another one. Mike is offered various social services and jobs but can’t seem to make anything lasting out of them. The story is filled with various good doers that try to get Mike on the right path. Granted, working in a restaurant with demanding customers or picking up trash from the streets might not sound like much but when you are Mike such jobs are immediate lines to survival. However, Mike’s history of survival seems to have revolved around drugs, drinking, and stealing. He can’t seem to move far beyond what little is given to him.
Mike’s story is rather bleak, so much so that Dickinson periodically takes us into the character’s abyss. These come in the form of metaphorical caves and long passageways. The settings are well-designed for this purpose and Dickinson keeps the tone in line with the character: dark, disturbed, and mysterious.
This isn’t to say that there aren’t bright spots for Mike. He’s sober, for a while, at least. He listens to self-help tapes. He develops some decent fast friends and even visits a karaoke bar at one point. This lets him emote in a way which is expressed with pain, sorrow, and relief as he co-sings a song with the lyrics: “Make me whole again.” Without much detail as to why, he does dream about managing a chauffeur business.
Dillane is very good in the role. His physical movements are unique, including an almost whimsical gait and occasional hands placed awkwardly on his hips. He sports an unruly mop of hair which reflects the character’s messy inner state. Dillane’s face is also very interesting to watch as it regularly reveals a series of conflicting emotions.
While Dickinson’s directorial choices are at times inspired and original, his script doesn’t offer much for viewers to latch on to for very long. We hope for Mike’s success, but just as good things happen to him, things again spiral out of control. As such, it’s not quite clear what Dickinson is trying to say. He seems interested in depicting the struggles of the unhoused, especially those who are also substance abusers. Mike is a lost character who is told he needs to take responsibility and begin making his own decisions. However, his habits and cycles keep spinning. Is Dickinson suggesting there really is no hope for some? Are good people just banging their heads against a wall trying to help people like him?
The film has received acclaim at a number of festivals around the world. This includes prizes at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year for both Dickinson and Dillane. Perhaps what some are seeing is a fairly accomplished directorial debut and some good performances. The world the characters live in is also well-depicted. However, I need something more to recommend the film. As is, it is a bit too pessimistic without any answers for hope.
Urchin opens in limited theatrical release this week.
FILM: URCHIN
DIRECTED BY: HARRIS DICKINSON
STARRING: FRANK DILLANE, MEGAN NORTHAM, KARYNA KHYMCHUK
RATING: 2 ½ out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
You might know director/writer Harris Dickinson more for his performances in some high-profile films in recent years, such as Babygirl, The Iron Claw, and Triangle of Sadness. This is his first full-length feature, mostly behind the camera (he also has a small, uncredited role in the film.) It’s an interesting choice for a project because it depicts a character who is down on his luck and can’t seem to take advantage of the potential good around him. This results in a rather grim story that we hope will lead to some redemption but is more cynical than that.
Frank Dillane (Astral, Fear of the Walking Dead) stars as Mike, a man who, at the start of the film is living in the streets, has a history of convictions, and is about to land another one. Mike is offered various social services and jobs but can’t seem to make anything lasting out of them. The story is filled with various good doers that try to get Mike on the right path. Granted, working in a restaurant with demanding customers or picking up trash from the streets might not sound like much but when you are Mike such jobs are immediate lines to survival. However, Mike’s history of survival seems to have revolved around drugs, drinking, and stealing. He can’t seem to move far beyond what little is given to him.
Mike’s story is rather bleak, so much so that Dickinson periodically takes us into the character’s abyss. These come in the form of metaphorical caves and long passageways. The settings are well-designed for this purpose and Dickinson keeps the tone in line with the character: dark, disturbed, and mysterious.
This isn’t to say that there aren’t bright spots for Mike. He’s sober, for a while, at least. He listens to self-help tapes. He develops some decent fast friends and even visits a karaoke bar at one point. This lets him emote in a way which is expressed with pain, sorrow, and relief as he co-sings a song with the lyrics: “Make me whole again.” Without much detail as to why, he does dream about managing a chauffeur business.
Dillane is very good in the role. His physical movements are unique, including an almost whimsical gait and occasional hands placed awkwardly on his hips. He sports an unruly mop of hair which reflects the character’s messy inner state. Dillane’s face is also very interesting to watch as it regularly reveals a series of conflicting emotions.
While Dickinson’s directorial choices are at times inspired and original, his script doesn’t offer much for viewers to latch on to for very long. We hope for Mike’s success, but just as good things happen to him, things again spiral out of control. As such, it’s not quite clear what Dickinson is trying to say. He seems interested in depicting the struggles of the unhoused, especially those who are also substance abusers. Mike is a lost character who is told he needs to take responsibility and begin making his own decisions. However, his habits and cycles keep spinning. Is Dickinson suggesting there really is no hope for some? Are good people just banging their heads against a wall trying to help people like him?
The film has received acclaim at a number of festivals around the world. This includes prizes at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year for both Dickinson and Dillane. Perhaps what some are seeing is a fairly accomplished directorial debut and some good performances. The world the characters live in is also well-depicted. However, I need something more to recommend the film. As is, it is a bit too pessimistic without any answers for hope.
Urchin opens in limited theatrical release this week.