Sundance 2025 Movie Review: Is ‘Atropia’ a Missed Opportunity for Sharp Satire?

Director: Hailey Gates
Writer: Hailey Gates
Stars: Alia Shawkat, Chloe East, Channing Tatum

Synopsis: The film tells the story of an aspiring actress working on a U.S. military base designed to simulate an Iraqi war zone.

Hailey Gates’ debut film, Atropia, recently won a top prize at Sundance. The film takes a sharp look at America’s military spending and the often absurd lengths people go to in Hollywood to get noticed. It centers around Fayruz (played by Alia Shawkat), a struggling actress who takes a gig participating in military simulations. While she juggles roles, like playing a street vendor and a mustard gas scientist, she also encourages her fellow extras to aim higher in their careers.

Fayruz is determined to impress. However, her plans take a turn when she meets Abu Dice (Callum Turner), a soldier posing as an insurgent. Their romance soon becomes the film’s main focus, pulling away from its satirical roots. If the movie had focused more on Fayruz’s journey in a world where extras often go unnoticed, it might have been more impactful.

At times, Atropia feels too on-the-nose, using names like “Box News” and “Al Jazzer” for fake news channels. While some jokes hit the mark, others fall flat. The film includes sharp commentary on the military’s relationship with Hollywood but tends to tread the same ground without pushing deeper into its topics. There are moments of humor, like the surreal situation involving an amputee actress being told she can’t take part due to her trauma. Yet, these moments feel scattered rather than cohesive.

Despite a promising premise, Atropia doesn’t manage to deliver a fully realized message. It lacks the depth and innovative take that could elevate it. Shawkat’s presence certainly elevates the film, but even her charm can’t salvage the uneven script, which sometimes feels too drawn out. By the end, viewers might feel like they’ve been given a familiar tale rather than a fresh perspective on a critical issue.

Grade: C-