Cannes 2025: Harris Dickinson’s Movie ‘Urchin’ is an Spectacular Debut
by Alex Billington
Could 17, 2025
Caught sleeping on the road, with nobody to show to for assist, nowhere to go… How will you pull your self again collectively on this scenario? How does one get out of this rut? The following actor making an attempt their hand at directing is the very gifted British teenager Harris Dickinson (of Triangle of Disappointment, The Iron Claw, Babygirl, Scrapper, Blitz). His characteristic directorial debut is a film titled Urchin, premiering on the 2025 Cannes Movie Competition within the Un Sure Regard part. This movie can be taking part in alongside Kristen Stewart’s directorial debut titled The Chronology of Water – and between these two tasks, it’s Dickinson’s movie and decisions and imaginative and prescient that basically stand out. Each written & directed by Dickinson, Urchin follows the compelling story of a homeless man named Mike – a tough sleeper in London, trapped in a cycle of self-destruction as he makes an attempt to show his life round. Not solely is the route assured and the imaginative and prescient for this story clear, it is a rattling good movie that includes some intelligent inventive decisions. Delighted to report it is one of many 12 months’s finest debuts.
Urchin stars actor Frank Dillane in a social realism story that fortunately doesn’t vilify or glorify any its characters. Dillane is excellent – not solely convincing in his position because the man dwelling on the road in the beginning, but in addition simply as fascinating to comply with as he goes by ups & downs. After being despatched to jail, he emerges sober and tries to work jobs and will get his life again on observe dwelling in hostel as a part of a rehab program. The movie has an impressed mixture of Ken Loach x Sean Baker vibes and filmmaking, with a loads of humor and honesty that makes an enormous distinction, topped off cinematic prospers that really improve the storytelling. It is refreshing to see the story progress from being a few homeless man to somebody making an attempt to be higher. I do not assume it is acceptable guilty him completely or name him a jerk, particularly when the movie makes a robust effort to point out that usually it is the system or different people who preserve bringing him down or sending him right into a spiral that results in melancholy & medicine once more. I used to be constantly impressed by the subtly and empathy of the filmmaking. And likewise with how Dickinson approached this story, placing his stamp on this movie and displaying he has an eye fixed for cinematic storytelling. He is clearly impressed by Ken Loach however not making an attempt to mimic him.
Dickinson has directed a couple of brief movies earlier than this, and it is thrilling to see him ship such a potent debut as his first characteristic. I actually hope he goes on to direct extra (small scale) movies after this. There’s compassion and humility and understanding evident in his storytelling with Urchin. It isn’t only a social realism movie, it is also entertaining, and the various sly comedic moments truly make this movie all of the extra lovable. Let’s be sincere – it is not straightforward to inform a narrative in regards to the type of particular person on the road that most individuals despise. It is even more durable to inform this story in an empathetic method, and craft a movie that audiences will really feel moved by and amused by whereas watching. Dillane’s efficiency as Mike is a key a part of it’s as properly, as a result of he must not solely be sure that this character is humorous and likeable sufficient, but in addition preserve him genuine and plausible as he goes by numerous moments of wrestle, sobriety, anger and inebriation. Now I am assured that Dickinson can deal with any type of story, although I hope he continues to remain centered on extra significant humanistic tales as a substitute of taking an enormous Hollywood job subsequent. Till then, this Urchin is value spending time hanging out with.
Alex’s Cannes 2025 Ranking: 8 out of 10
Observe Alex on Twitter – @firstshowing / Or Letterboxd – @firstshowing
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