UK | Germany 2024
Opening December 5, 2024

Directed by: Nora Fingscheidt
Writing credits: Amy Liptrot, Nora Fingscheidt, Daisy Lewis
Principal actors: Saoirse Ronan, Paapa Essiedu, Nabil Elouahabi

Rona (Saoirse Ronan) will soon turn thirty. Originally from London, she lives on one of the Scottish Orkney Islands. Her parents are separated, but also live nearby and she goes back and forth between them. She loves partying, dancing, staying up late, dying her hair various colors of red, blue, and orange, and going to the seashore. The main point of Rona’s life is drinking. Yes, she is an alcoholic, which leads to accidents and visits to doctors. She must work to end this addiction, and that includes a longer stay in rehab. Finally, she begins working with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, which takes her to another island, called Papa Westray. Will this lead her to a more productive future?

The Outrun includes flashbacks of Rona’s childhood and her relationship with Daynin (Paapa Essiedu). Actress Saoirse Ronan, as the adult Rona, is in practically every scene in the almost two-hour film. The story is based on a 2016 memoire written by Amy Liptrot, and arranged for film by director Nora Fingscheidt, Daisy Lewis, and Liptrot. The verb “to outrun” means “to run away,” or “to run faster.” Here it is a noun, which in this case could mean “escape.” There are various problems besides alcoholism from which Rona must escape. The Outrun showed at the 2024 Berlinale and Sundance film festivals and Saoirse Ronan won best actress at the 2024 Mallorca International Film Festival. (Becky T.)