Tiger Stripes (15)
Directed by Amanda Nell Eu
★★★★

 
THE horrors of puberty both physically and socially are examined in all their gory details in this compelling tween body horror from Malaysian first-time writer-director Amanda Nell Eu. 
 
Set in Malaysia when the rebellious and carefree 12-year-old Zaffan (Zafreen Zairizal) becomes the first girl in her school to have her period she is soon ostracised by her community. She isn’t allowed to take part in prayers and is deemed to be dirty and unclean by her friends and classmates and even her own mother who beats her. 
 
As her body starts undergoing horrific physical changes and girls at school begin to collapse suffering mass hysteria she is declared a monster. Her best friend Farah (Deena Ezral) turns against her and badmouths her to her classmates.  
 
The film critiques the awful treatment girls and women receive in this patriarchal society when they suffer this monthly natural process. 
 
In this horror the changes are taken to extremes. Zaffan undergoes a painfully violent and humiliating public exorcism which is live streamed. Rebelling she accepts her inner beast as she slowly transforms into a frightening creature.  
 
While the special effects are amateurish Zairizal’s performance is anything but. In her first ever acting role Zairizal crushes it giving a commanding and terrifying portrayal along with newcomer Ezral, in her film debut , as her frenemy. Think Mean Girls meets Ginger Snaps. 
 
It is a fascinating thriller which shines a much needed light on the abysmal way girls undergoing puberty are treated. 

Out in cinemas tomorrow.

Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg (15)
Directed by Alexis Bloom & Svetlana Zill 
★★★★

 
DESCRIBED as the Rolling Stones muse, the IT Girl and the original bohemian Rock Chick, this fascinating and eye-opening documentary aims to remind everyone how Anita Pallenberg was more than that. 
 
The model turned actress could speak five languages and was an artist in her own right. Using the words of her unpublished memoir, found by her children after her death in 2017, and voiced by Scarlett Johansson in the film, Pallenberg outlines her life, her thoughts and her world. It makes compelling watching.

It also features interviews with her son, daughter, ex-husband and close friends plus Marianne Faithfull and Kate Moss, interwoven with never-seen-before home movies and family photographs that examine life with the Rolling Stones. It is a no-brainer to see why and how three of them fell in love with her. 

Directed by Alexis Bloom and Svetlana Zill and executively produced by Pallenberg’s son Marlon (whose father is Keith Richards) the film paints an intimate picture of a stunning 1960s and ’70s icon which outlines her highs and lows.

It is a must see. 

Out in cinemas tomorrow.

Two Tickets To Greece (15)
Directed by Marc Fitoussi
★★★★

 
SET against the gorgeous backdrop of the Greek islands this irresistibly smart and funny French comedy celebrates female friendship without patronising the middle-aged demographic it is aimed at. 
 
Written and directed by Marc Fitoussi it stars Call My Agent’s Laura Calamy and Olivia Cote as two former childhood BFFs who reunite around 30 years later and head on their teenage dream holiday to Amorgos, where their favourite film The Big Blue was shot. 
 
Now in their 40s, Magelie (Calamy) is just as loud and carefree as she was at 15 and takes her joie de vivre to exhausting heights while the divorced Blandine (Cote), whose husband left her for a younger woman, is depressed and very straitlaced. Fireworks ensue. 
 
Halfway through the glorious Kristen Scott Thomas appears as Magalie’s expat friend and mentor who is just as over the top as Magalie. Scott Thomas, speaking in French, brings class and sophistication to the proceedings while Calamy and Cote are magnificent as these annoying but believable women. Yet there is more to them than meets the eye. 
 
This was a surprising delight. 

Out in cinemas tomorrow.

IF (U)
Directed by John Krasinski 
★★★ 

 
AFTER two horror films actor-turned-director John Krasinski returns with a captivating children’s live-action animated feature which explores the world of imaginary friends  (IFs for short) and which he wrote for his two young daughters during the pandemic. 
 
It follows Bea (Cailey Fleming), a young girl who is going through a troubling time who, like her neighbour Cal (Ryan Reynolds), can suddenly see everyone’s former imaginary friend. So she decides to help him and his team Blue (Steve Carell) and Blossom (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) match the IFs to new kids. 
 
IF has a very classic and old fashion look and feel about it as it slowly reveals itself. Fleming is a revelation carrying the film beautifully as she holds her own opposite the effortlessly charming Reynolds who is on top comic and emotional form. 
 
It is full of colourful, quirky and hilarious IF characters voiced by a stellar cast which includes George Clooney and Matt Damon. 
 
While not as complex as a Pixar film it still packs a heartfelt punch as it reminds you to reconnect with your inner child.  

Out in cinemas tomorrow.