Watch Bridgend

Bridgend is a haunting and atmospheric drama that tells the story of a young girl named Sara who moves with her father to the small town of Bridgend, Wales. As they settle into their new home, Sara quickly begins to notice strange things happening in the town. There are whispers of a suicide epidemic among the teenage population, with more and more young people seemingly taking their own lives each year.

Sara is drawn into this bleak and unsettling world when she meets a group of local teens who are all struggling in their own ways. There's the charismatic Jamie, who seems to be leading the charge of the town's youth towards self-destruction. There's also the quiet and sensitive Dan, who Sara finds herself drawn to despite his troubled past.

As the town's suicide rate continues to climb, tensions rise between the young people and the adults. The local authorities are powerless to stop the tragedy from unfolding, and it seems that no one is able to offer any real solutions to the problem.

Bridgend is an incredibly raw and honest portrayal of the pain and confusion that can come with adolescence. The film is shot in a stark and minimalist style, with director Jeppe Rønde often letting his camera linger on characters' faces for long stretches of time. This creates a sense of intimacy and vulnerability that is difficult to shake off, even after the film has ended.

The performances from the cast are all fantastic, particularly Hannah Murray as Sara. She brings a sense of innocence and wonder to the role that makes her journey all the more heartbreaking. Josh O'Connor is equally impressive as Jamie, managing to make the character both charismatic and terrifying in equal measure.

Despite its heavy subject matter, Bridgend is a film that is ultimately about hope. It acknowledges the pain and confusion of adolescence without completely giving in to despair. There are moments of genuine connection and warmth between the characters that offer glimpses of happiness and possibility.

Bridgend is a challenging watch, but it is also an important one. It is a film that asks difficult questions about the nature of mental illness and the role that society plays in exacerbating it. It is a film that refuses to shy away from its subject matter, and in doing so, it becomes a powerful and unflinching tribute to the young people who have been lost to suicide in Bridgend and beyond.

Overall, Bridgend is a deeply affecting and unforgettable film. It is a testament to the power of cinema to explore complex and difficult issues in a way that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant.

Bridgend is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4 and a MetaScore of 53.