Charli XCX is a talent like no other. She drove home great soundtracks with her music in the recent films, Wuthering Heights and Mother Mary. Now, the sensational Charli XCX is starring in an independent movie called Erupcja, which is a film that recalls other movies with international settings like Before Sunrise or Vicky Cristina Barcelona, only with a modern-day twist.
Erupcja, directed by Pete Ohs, has the feel of an old Woody Allen movie, but it’s a bit less neurotic. Charli XCX portrays a British woman named Bethany who rekindles a bond with the intriguing Nel (the earnest and effective Lena Góra). What’s refreshing about the movie is how Bethany is so normal.
Set in Warsaw, Poland, Bethany is involved with Rob (Will Madden). Rob plans on proposing to her. Too bad, Bethany is more interested in the beautiful energy that is created through her interaction with Nel.
In fact, volcanic eruptions serve as a metaphor for the “explosive” connection Bethany and Nel have with one another. This film is effectively narrated by Jacek Zubiel in such a way that the commentary helps make sense of the points the movie is aiming to make.
As Bethany sets herself free in letting herself come to terms with her true desires in life, we learn a great deal about the importance of fate in relationships and the power of not settling for something in life that is not desired.
Erupcja works under the assumption that Rob means well, but Bethany deserves more in her life than the mundane relationship that she has with him. Bethany treats herself well, preferring a massage over anything else at a key moment in the picture. Longevity and passion stem from her old friendship with Nel rather than the potentially safe, but ordinary bond she has with Rob.
Charli XCX is the most normal woman you can imagine in this film. Her role is the opposite of the persona she creates through her music. This movie proves she can act and play a down-to-earth woman searching for meaning in life just as well as she can belt out a feel-good tune on stage.
In this role, Charli XCX is relatable to a fault. She’s almost too normal and too easy to sympathize with.
Will Madden plays his role so well that we actually feel sorry for both his character, Rob, and Bethany, as we may want them both to be happy, just not as a romantic couple. In support, Jeremy O. Harris shines as Claude, an acquaintance who hosts a key party that drives a piece of the storyline of this film.
Who has ever just wanted to run away from everything and go somewhere with someone really cool that doesn’t make judgments and just enjoys the little things in life? If you’ve ever felt like that, it’s easy to enjoy Erupcja on the most basic levels.
Erupcja is a fascinating film. It’s brief (71-minutes), but Charlie XCX is so intriguing to watch, it feels like we’re watching an emerging movie star’s first big role.
There are some flaws here. For one, there aren’t a lot of major plot developments. Perhaps the relationships and characters could have been fleshed out a bit to make it easier to understand why Bethany cares so much for Nel.
Bethany and Nel have that past connection that keeps their emotions running deep for one another, but in what way, exactly? This film thankfully offers no easy answers as to what will happen after the credits roll. Rather, the movie explores fate and the happenstances of life that help shape one’s decisions and one’s future.
Erupcja is a good film, overall, but it lacks a lot of creative depth outside of the characterizations. What the audience brings to the table from life experience will help shape the way the audience perceives the movie.
You know a work of art that is simplistic, but inspires conversations about what’s missing from it? Erupcja is that type of work of art. It is what is not portrayed on screen by Ohs that is more intriguing than what is.
What is displayed on screen, though, will make audiences eager for a good conversation afterwards, and that’s what good art should do – inspire conversation.
Can we talk about Charli XCX’s upcoming film career? It is getting more interesting with every passing project, and she’s a true movie star, judging from her easy-going work in this film.
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Thomas Duffy
Thomas Duffy is a Critics Choice member who has written film reviews for most of his life, starting at age 11 when he crafted his first full length movie critique on the film, "Roxanne," a Cyrano story featuring Steve Martin. As a result of that review and other movie obsessive writing, Thomas was awarded a creative writing award in sixth grade. Thomas is the proud author of nine books, including two highly acclaimed novels, "To Never Know" and "Social Work." Thomas can be found on X (formerly known as Twitter) or at a New York City movie theater watching the latest hit or independent movie. You can also run into him at Tribeca or at the New York Film Festival.