Sorry, Baby is the directorial debut from Eva Victor. The film premiered at Sundance earlier this year to wide critical acclaim and even ignited a bidding war. Ultimately A24 was able to nab the film and is releasing it this week. Sorry, Baby stars Eva Victor, Naomie Ackie, Lucas Hedges, and John Carrol Lynch. It’s incredible what Victor does in both writing, directing, and starring in this film that is so layered.

The film’s structure is what I really want to start with as Victor presents this film in what I would call fragments. We see our main character desperately trying to cling on to some normalcy. We meet Agnes (Eva Victor)sometime after the horrible event and then move through the moment it happened to sometime later. This way of presenting the story really adds more layers to a character trying to grasp and move forward from the event.

Eva really showcases some incredible direction in the way that shots are framed. There’s a scene that is probably one of the most haunting scenes of the year. The way it’s shot and the amount of movement that happens truly elevates it. I found them to be so profound and hard hitting in a way I didn’t expect. Victor does this for a lot for scenes and also in the editing for the film. It’s the subtleness that is behind the camera that makes these moments that much more impactful.

Lucas Hedges and Naomie Ackie also are great throughout as the Agnes’ inner circle. They are brilliantly built up through the dialogue they are given. We really get to know and understand these characters and what their hopes are. All of this contrasts with Agnes trying to come to terms and move on with their life. In life we go through difficult moments but the world spins and people keep on living. It’s a difficult concept I think Victor showcases brilliantly.

Sorry, Baby will be one of the stronger films of the year and many will definitely become a fan of Victor. The way they are able to weave such a difficult story as they do in this film is something to behold. It’s difficult to tell someone to move forward from a traumatic event. The small things in life can actually be steps into achieving total healing or at least part. It’s the most honest and vulnerable film of the year and one I won’t forget.