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‘Silver Haze’ Film Review
The remarkable Vicky Knight shines as a troubled young woman trying to find love, peace and stability
Film: Dirty God. Year: 2023. Genre: Drama. Director: Sasha Polak
If you’ve seen Dirty God, you know that Dutch director Sasha Polak can create eye-opening, ultra-personal and emotional movies like no other. The film, about a young British woman sustaining facial burns after an acid attack by her former partner, wasn’t only praised by critics because of its stunning direction but also because of the staggering breakthrough performance of lead actress Vicky Knight. For those who missed Dirty God, you’ll experience that gripping feeling now cause Polak and Knight’s latest collaboration, Silver Haze, is again a movie consisting of lived experience, a powerful storyline and natural-looking performances.
That Silver Haze is going to be a tough watch becomes instantly clear. Franky (Knight), a young nurse, has been through a lot in her life. She was severely burned in a pub fire many years ago, her parents had a nasty break-up, and she’s now estranged from her father. Sadly, her pain — both physically and mentally — isn’t going away any time soon. Her mother, who’s addicted to alcohol, is entirely dependent on her, while her sister Leah (Charlotte Knight) is trapped in an abusive relationship.