Rebecca Lenkiewicz's 'Hot Milk' Divides Critics at Berlin Film Festival

The adaptation of Deborah Levy's novel receives praise for its performances but criticism for its narrative execution and pacing.

Emma Mackey and Fiona Shaw are widely praised for their performances, with Shaw's portrayal of a manipulative mother highlighted as a standout.
The film, directed by Rebecca Lenkiewicz in her debut, adapts Deborah Levy's 2016 novel but struggles to translate its complex prose into a cohesive cinematic experience.
Critics note the film's enigmatic tone and dreamlike structure but express frustration with its lack of character development and narrative clarity.
The mother-daughter psychodrama explores themes of trauma, dependency, and self-discovery, set against the stark and unromantic backdrop of coastal Spain.
While some appreciate its dark humor and visual flourishes, others find its pacing uneven and its abrupt ending unsatisfying.