Watch Jellyfish

Jellyfish is a poignant drama from 2018 that tells the story of 15-year-old Sarah Taylor (played by Liv Hill), a young girl growing up in working-class coastal England. The film follows Sarah as she struggles to deal with the various challenges in her life, including poverty, bullying, and familial neglect. One of the most striking things about Jellyfish is the way it paints a vivid portrayal of the bleak and oppressive reality of Sarah's life. From the opening moments of the film, we see Sarah scrambling to cobble together enough money to buy groceries from a corner shop, only to be shortchanged by the apathetic shopkeeper. It's an early indication of the constant struggles and disappointments that Sarah faces throughout the film.

These struggles extend to her school life where she is constantly bullied by her classmates for her accent and lack of proper clothing. Despite her passion for drama, Sarah is repeatedly passed over for opportunities to perform in school productions, leading her to take on odd jobs outside of school to earn some money and a sense of purpose.

One of these jobs is babysitting the precocious and difficult young daughter of a middle-class couple named Joanna (played by Sinead Matthews) and Dave (played by Cyril Nri). Joanna is an amateur opera singer who shares an unlikely connection with Sarah's love for the stage. Though initially antagonistic towards one another, their relationship becomes gradually more complex over the course of the film as they come to understand and appreciate each other's struggles.

Jellyfish is a remarkable achievement in its ability to tackle a wide range of themes without feeling overburdened or preachy. Through Sarah's character, the film explores ideas about class, gender, and desire that are all grounded in the specific context of her life. At times the film is difficult to watch, as it shines a harsh light on the broken social systems that contribute to poverty and inequality. But even in its darkest moments, Jellyfish manages to find moments of hope and beauty.

One of the key reasons for the film's success is the powerful central performance by Liv Hill. She imbues Sarah with a raw intensity that feels both authentic and heartbreaking. As she navigates the complexities of her relationships with Joanna, Dave, and her absent mother, Sarah is a character that you root for even as you are confronted by the harsh realities of her life.

The supporting performances are also noteworthy, particularly Sinead Matthews who brings a complicated mix of vulnerability and privilege to her role as Joanna. Cyril Nri is equally strong as Dave, a character who undergoes his own personal transformation in response to Sarah's struggles.

Director James Gardner and writer Simon Lord have crafted a film that is both socially relevant and emotionally resonant. Through Sarah's experiences, they show us the power of empathy and human connection, even in the face of overwhelming challenges. By the time the film comes to its bittersweet conclusion, we are left with a sense of hope for Sarah's future and a renewed understanding of the power of art to heal and transform lives.

Overall, Jellyfish is a striking and unforgettable film that deserves to be seen by a wider audience. It is a powerful reminder of the need for compassion and empathy in a world that is often harsh and indifferent. Through its beautifully nuanced performances and poignant storytelling, it is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Jellyfish is a 2018 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 46.