La Gradiva (2026)

Gates finds the film wholly transporting, praising its empathetic, layered portrayal of teenagers and their inner lives. She especially singles out Colas Quignard’s performance, whose quiet body language makes Toni’s heartbreak deeply affecting.

Chang calls La Gradiva an exceptional debut and one of the year’s great discoveries. He particularly praises Marine Atlan’s lively, perceptive filmmaking and the film’s vividly drawn young characters.

Kiang praises the film as a deeply moving, perceptive portrait of adolescence and calls it an extraordinary debut. She singles out its vivid ensemble and Atlan’s compassionate attention to the characters’ partial understanding of one another.

Mintzer calls the film a stunning debut and says it announces a formidable new talent. He particularly praises the candid performances and Atlan’s fluid, observant portrayal of teenage moods and turmoil.

The review finds the film’s coming-of-age story unusually resonant and thoughtful. It praises how Atlan connects the teenagers’ desires and anxieties to the deep history of Naples and Pompeii.

Bradshaw praises the film as a beautifully directed, superbly acted coming-of-age story, while noting its increasingly sombre emotional force. He particularly singles out Antonia Buresi’s sympathetic performance as the overwhelmed teacher and the film’s nuanced classroom scenes.

Hoepfner finds Atlan’s debut a finely observed portrait of youthful folly meeting ancient permanence. The critic especially praises the film’s lush cinematography and detailed images.

The piece presents La Gradiva positively as a sensitive, surprising exploration of adolescence and grief. It singles out the film’s handling of those themes, alongside Sandra Wollner’s Everytime.

The headline presents the film as an observant and effective debut. It singles out Atlan’s capture of volatile youths on an Italian school trip.

The critic calls the film a magnificent, moving achievement that captures the upheaval of growing up. They especially praise its stunning visuals and naturalistic performances.

The review finds the film a luminous, affecting coming-of-age story, though its symbolism can feel emphatic. It praises Atlan’s sensitivity to adolescent shame and the film’s grainy, tactile imagery.