The Director's Series: Emerald Fennell, Promising Young Woman


Throughout 2025 I'm turning my focus to Directors. They help craft the vision on screen that makes a movie work. This year I'm looking at five favorite films from 18 directors I admire and 10 films directed by different women that I have enjoyed. Join me Fridays and Saturdays throughout 2025 as we take this journey.

Promising Young Woman (2020)
Starring: Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham, Chris Lowell, Alison Brie, and Alfred Molina
Director: Emerald Fennell
About: There were a lot of bummer's when COVID hit. When it comes to films, it's that many great works that were released in 2020 didn't get the love and audience they deserved. This searing original film from Fennell, her first feature, is one such casualty. It was the best film of the year and one of my favorite films. It should have been showered with awards, including Best Picture, and Best Actress. But it did at least win Best Screenplay. Mulligan is fantastic. The script here is great, with a great blend of comedy and drama. It's a story that hits hard and it has a fantastic look. If you've never seen this film, you're missing out.

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