BFF25: Dragonfly

Australian premiere

This compassionate drama from writer-director Paul Andrew Williams, gradually sharpens into a nerve-pricking psychological thriller as the serpentine story unfolds. Andrea Riseborough delivers a transfixing performance as Colleen, a solitary neighbour who steps in to care for Elsie (Brenda Blethyn), an elderly woman fiercely guarding her independence. Their friendship begins with quiet gestures and gentle companionship, yet beneath the surface something darker stirs. As debit cards are exchanged and small boundaries blur, trust becomes uncertain, and an ordinary act of kindness evolves into a tense contest of control.

Shot with intimate precision by Vanessa Whyte and underscored by Raffertie’s delicately needling score, the film captures the fragile intersection between care and coercion. Jason Watkins brings steel-edged nuance as Elsie’s wary son, whose suspicions heighten the unease. Williams balances warmth and dread with striking clarity, crafting a story that resonates long after the credits roll. Dragonfly is both a love letter to resilience and a razor-edged portrait of modern loneliness, sparking vital questions about dignity, duty, and the ethics of care.

WINNER | Best Performance in an International Narrative Feature, Tribeca Film Festival 2025