ACT ONE

(director/writer: Sophia Takal; cinematographer: Robert Leitzell; editors: Zach Clark, Matthew L. Weiss; music: Jonathan Goldsmith; cast:Ella Beatty (Hannah), Ari Graynor (Melanie), Nate Mann (Henry, father), Elizabeth Reaser (Julie, mother), Sinclair Daniel (Aggie), Robert Sean Leonard (Tim), Tavi Gevinson (Gracie Thomas); Runtime: 104; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Allison Rose Carter, Julie Christeas, Jon Read, Stephanie Roush, Sophia Takal, Julie Waters; Foxglove Films; 2026)

“Holds your attention throughout.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Sophia Takal (“Black Christmas”/”Always Shine”) directs and writes this compelling psychological/psychosexual thriller that borders on high camp.


The high school student Hannah (Ella Beatty, daughter of Annette Bening and Warren Beatty)  dreams of becoming an actress, hoping to escape her unhappy home life with her argumentative and unsupportive mother (Elizabeth Reaser). The vulnerable Hannah hooks up with the obsessive acting coach at Act One studios, Melanie (Ari Graynor), to learn the acting craft after passed over for a school play.

One of Hannah’s slightly older classmates at the studio, the handsome Henry (Nate Mann), attracts her and her school work suffers because she ignores it to carry on with him. Things get charged-up sexually at a retreat with her instructor and Henry.

All kinds of dark things emerge about the teacher and the influence she has over her naive student.

A serious performance by Ella Beatty, and a dark and twisty story makes this unpredictable pic one that holds your attention throughout.

It played at the Tribeca Film Festival.

REVIEWED ON 7/4/2026  GRADE: B
dennisschwartzreviews.com