Sorry, Baby: A Quiet, Wry, and Deeply Human Drama About Recovering from Trauma

Sorry, Baby (2025)

What Works

Compassionate and Authentic Portrayal of Trauma

In her feature debut, Eva Victor takes on the role of Agnes—a woman grappling with the lingering effects of sexual assault—with exceptional sensitivity and emotional precision. The film delves into the reverberations of trauma rather than the event itself, portraying Agnes’s daily reality with quiet power.

Nuanced Balance of Tone

The film impressively balances emotional honesty with unexpected humor. Agnes’s friendship with Lydie (Naomi Ackie) provides moments of warmth and genuine laughter, anchoring the narrative in resilient humanity.

Visually Poetic, Intimate Direction

Stylistic storytelling, including evocative shots like Agnes entering a house with the camera lingering outside as night falls, underscores trauma with minimalism and emotional weight. The grounded cinematography beautifully reflects New England's melancholic stillness.

Structural Clarity and Emotional Evolution

Divided into five non-linear chapters spanning years, the film reveals how healing isn’t linear. This structure mirrors memory and recovery, illustrating Agnes’s transformation in an honest and relatable way.

Where It Stumbles

Occasional Tonal Jaggedness

Some viewers felt the humor sometimes undercuts the emotional gravity of the story, making tone balance difficult in parts.

Minor Narrative Distractions

Certain subplots and secondary characters—like a subplot involving Lucas Hedges’s neighbor—felt underdeveloped, standing out in contrast to the film’s otherwise cohesive emotional drive.

Structural Shifts Can Disrupt Flow

While the chapter-based format is effective, it occasionally disrupts emotional momentum and connection, creating small jolts in narrative immersion.

Final Verdict

Sorry, Baby is a remarkable and deeply human cinematic debut. Through its sharp humor, visual restraint, and powerful performances—especially from Eva Victor and Naomi Ackie—it breathes life into a story about trauma, friendship, and resilience. While imperfect in tone and structure, its compassion and quiet wit make it a standout of 2025.

Recommended for: viewers seeking emotionally intelligent, intimate storytelling that honors strength in vulnerability.