New Group (2025) – Capsule Review
April 5, 2026
A strange little film that lacks focus and misses the mark in the areas where it tries to move the audience.
A strange little film that lacks focus and misses the mark in the areas where it tries to move the audience.
Initially elevated by the novelty of its format, telling two different stories while avoiding a traditional episodic structure, but with its interest and originality unfortunately fading fairly quickly, this is an uneven film with generally amateurish acting (although this seems like a directorial choice, given the plot), with the exception of a magnificent cinema receptionist character. At the same time, it features incredibly ridiculous twists that do bring some enjoyment and laughs, although it ultimately leads to a rather dull resolution.
Oliver Hermanus’s film hits all the right notes, but none is struck to perfection. Both Mescal’s and O’Connor’s performances are really solid, but the truth is that their love story lacks emotional depth.
This movie is basically a sequence of paintings in which image composition and the quiet moments in between action take centre stage.
The story of Fatima is one that has appeared many times on the big screen. The struggles of accepting one’s sexuality, whether due to internal doubts or societal misconceptions, are familiar territory, and the film’s structure follows a similarly well-worn path.