Is “Bird” a Masterpiece? What Viewers Think About Andrea Arnold’s Film

Andrea Arnold, known for her authentic style and focus on youth, returns with “Bird,” a new film showcased at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024. The movie follows 12-year-old Bailey, who lives in a squat with her young father. As she grapples with her father’s impending marriage, Bailey encounters a pivotal moment in her teenage life. It’s during this time that she meets a mysterious man named Bird.

Blending drama with fantastical elements, the film demonstrates that Arnold’s unique methods, such as working with non-professional actors, continue to be effective. Although it left Cannes without any awards, did “Bird” still manage to win over audiences?

On AlloCiné, the film scores a press average of 3.9 out of 5, marking it as her best-reviewed film since “Fish Tank,” released in 2009. From the audience’s perspective, “Bird” receives a rating of 3.7 out of 5, aligning with the successful reception of Arnold’s previous works— “American Honey” scored 3.9 and “Fish Tank” also 3.7.

What did moviegoers think?

According to Jan Feig (5 out of 5): “The direction is masterfully controlled, serving a beautiful story filled with anger and emotion, where fantasy is just a stone’s throw away. Barely into 2025 and I already have my favorite film of the year.”

According to Corinne33 (5 out of 5): “The film’s pacing is intense, but it’s beautified by the meeting of two damaged souls, saved by poetry in a world of stark violence. Welcome to the beauty and dreams of birds.”

According to Cadreum (4.5 out of 5): “Visually, Arnold creates a tactile, sensory experience. Each frame (a trembling bird’s wing, a gaze overwhelmed by emotion) throbs with an intensity that captures the soul of its subjects. The soft focus, tight framing, and bursts of light pierce the screen like glimmers of hope, all while maintaining the grip of poignant isolation.“

According to LCDC YT (4 out of 5): “Poetic and reflective of its director, Arnold’s film stands as a surprising, touching, and particularly intense cinematic moment, accurate in its realistic approach to filmmaking, especially in its acting.“

According to Ratafia (4 out of 5): “This is England! More energetic than her previous work (Fish Tank, already very good), with a soundtrack that really kicks and a mesmerizing Franz Rogowski, Bird sweeps you up at full speed into the disadvantaged environments of Kent. A flood of adjectives hits you as you leave the theater: violent, dreamlike, fantastic, and utterly original. A must-see!“

According to Séverine Boulant (4 out of 5): “A poetic favorite, a true display of virtuosity that brings the actors to a level of finesse and delicacy, completely captivating us.“

According to Naughty Doc (3.5 out of 5): “The imagery could have been a bit better integrated at times, but it still manages to move us to the very end.“

According to Sylvain P. (2.5 out of 5): “There are many slow moments in this urban poem. The characters of this atypical family (the twenty-something father, his teenage children left to their own devices, his fiancée, his ex-wife tormented by a violent spouse…) are well-drawn, but the meandering story struggles to convince.“

According to Eleni (2 out of 5): “Undoubtedly cinematic and well-directed. But to what end? A convoluted film, violent, artificially mixing genres without merging them: social cinema, dreaminess, symbolism. Everything felt interminable and the handheld camera very tiring.“

According to Pierre Kuzor (2 out of 5): “I was unfamiliar with this director and thought I was watching a debut film from a young woman. Just like its characters, Andrea Arnold, in her sixties with a lengthy filmography, lacks maturity.“

In Conclusion

“Bird” will appeal to viewers who appreciate Andrea Arnold’s poetic style, fantastical elements, and raw portrayal of youth left to fend for themselves. The film’s strength also lies in the performances of its talented cast. However, this genre blend may not sit well with everyone, as some critics have pointed out.

*Audience ratings recorded at the time of writing this article may change.

“Bird” by Andrea Arnold is now showing in theaters.