H IS FOR HAWK

(director/writer: Philippa Lowthorpe; screenwriters: Emma Donoghue, based upon “H Is for Hawk” by Helen Macdonald; cinematographer: Charlotte Bruus Christensen; editor: Nico Leunen; music: Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch; cast: Claire Foy (Helen), Brendan Gleeson (Alisdair), Denise Gough (Christina), Sam Spruell (Stuart), Emma Cunniffe (Mandy), Josh Dylan (James), Arty Froushan (Amar), Lindsay Duncan (Mum); Runtime: 115; MPAA Rating: PG-13; producers: Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner; Roadside Attractions; 2025-UK/USA/Singapore)

“Needed more substance to take flight.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Brit TV director Philippa Lowthorpe (“Misbehaviour”/ “Shallows and Amazons”) adapts with screenwriter Emma Donoghue, in a minimalist and non-linear style, the acclaimed memoir “H Is for Hawk” by Helen Macdonald. It’s a no-nonsense portrait of coping with grief that’s based on a true story.

In 2007, in Cambridge, England, Helen Macdonald (Claire Foy), a respected university science professor, is jolted when her celebrated photojournalist father Alisdair (Brendan Gleeson) surprisingly dies from a heart attack. He’s the most important person in her life, as she’s closer to him than to her mother (Lindsay Duncan) or brother (Josh Dylan).

To compensate for the loss, she gets a fierce looking Goshawk as a pet and names her Mabel. Her birding friend (Sam Spruell) helps her train Mabel to hunt for prey. This is to honor dad, a birder.

Helen always takes the raptor with her wherever she goes, which causes both curiosity and annoyance.

Despite having the pet, she still is depressed and lonely. The question becomes if she can get herself together in time for her father’s public memorial.

The emotionally moving character study follows the grieving process of a sympathetic person you root for. The acting and photography are fine, but the story needed more substance to take flight.

It played at the Telluride Film Festival.

REVIEWED ON 2/13/2026  GRADE: B-

dennisschwartzreviews.com