Nora Fingscheidt’s new film The Outrun is a drama that leans entirely on its lead actor for it to connect emotionally. Fortunately, Saoirse Ronan is not only capable of carrying a movie, but she’s one of the best at doing so. While a few choices in the film’s storytelling make it a bit hard to follow, Ronan’s performance keeps the audience hooked, and makes The Outrun worth watching.
Ronan plays Rona, a 30-year-old fresh out of rehab, who is looking to get her life back on track. She returns to her home on the Orkney Islands off the Scottish coast after a decade of living in London. The film jumps back and forth between different stages of her life, as Rona tries to make sense of how she got to this point, sorting through the regrets and the traumas of her past.
To help the audience navigate the various time periods of Rona’s life, Fingscheidt uses a technique most reminiscent of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: hair color. Depending on the period, Rona’s hair may be blue, pink, blonde with blue tips, or fully blonde, among other variations. While this visual cue helps to place the timeline, it doesn’t always fully click. The transitions between these periods can feel quite disorienting at times, making it difficult to track how one event leads to another.
Despite the nonlinear storytelling being a bit distracting, Ronan’s performance is the backbone of the film, always pulling the audience back in. No matter which hair color she’s sporting or how flawed her character may appear from scene to scene, Ronan consistently delivers. Another actor might have overplayed the melodrama or pushed moments too far, but Ronan always seems to make the right choice, grounding her performance in authenticity.
Her chemistry with Paapa Essiedu, who plays a significant figure from her past, helps convey their intense connection in early flashback sequences. The film also captures Rona’s complicated relationship with her separated parents, made even more poignant by the “lived-in” feel of the performances. Each scene deepens our understanding of Rona’s character, and the supporting cast gives the film an intimate touch.
Beyond these personal moments are voiceover myths told by Rona, adding a mystical layer to the story. One such tale describes seals as former humans who can walk on shore in human form – but if they are seen, they can never return to the ocean, leaving their souls feeling empty and disconnected from their true home. These myths serve as an intriguing metaphor for Rona’s life, inviting viewers to decipher how they reflect her struggles and transformation.
Despite its flaws, The Outrun is a deeply compelling journey. Ronan gives a powerful, nuanced performance that feels so authentic it’s as if we are spying on a real person’s private life. Saoirse Ronan is nothing short of Oscar-worthy. While the story is familiar, the setting and unique circumstances help it stand out.
The Outrun will be in theaters on October 4.
Rating: 3.5/5
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