The Outrun Review: Saoirse Ronan Shines in a Poetic Journey of Addiction and Healing

Nora Fingscheidt’s directorial debut, The Outrun, is a moving and visually arresting film that captures the raw emotional struggles of its protagonist, Rona, played by the ever-brilliant Saoirse Ronan. Based on Amy Liptrot’s memoir, the film delicately navigates themes of addiction, healing, and self-discovery, all while painting a vivid picture of Scotland’s rugged Orkney Islands. With a mix of poetic visuals, strong performances, and an intimate portrayal of personal turmoil, The Outrun succeeds in delivering a story that is both heart-wrenching and beautiful, albeit with a few structural missteps.

A Poetic Exploration of Inner Struggles and Nature’s Beauty

From the very beginning, The Outrun immerses the audience into the chaotic and fragmented mind of its protagonist, Rona, who is returning home to the Orkney Islands after years of living in London. The film uses nonlinear storytelling to mirror Rona’s inner turmoil, jumping between moments from her past and present, allowing us to piece together the events that led to her downfall and eventual return to her roots.

Fingscheidt’s use of close-ups and the natural landscape as a reflection of Rona’s internal state is masterful. Scotland’s wild beauty is more than just a backdrop; it becomes a character in itself. The crashing waves, howling winds, and serene moments among animals all serve to highlight Rona’s emotional journey. Whether swimming with seals or simply standing in the wind, Rona finds solace in nature, a stark contrast to her chaotic life in the city. The film delicately portrays how the natural world helps her reconnect with herself, almost as if nature is offering her the healing she desperately needs.

The cinematography in The Outrun is nothing short of breathtaking. Every frame feels like a painting, with the Orkney Islands’ rugged cliffs and windswept beaches providing the perfect visual metaphor for Rona’s tumultuous emotional state. It’s a poetic exploration of how deeply connected we are to the world around us, and how, sometimes, returning to nature is the only way to truly find ourselves.

Saoirse Ronan Delivers a Stirring and Complex Performance

At the heart of The Outrun is Saoirse Ronan’s deeply moving performance. Ronan is no stranger to portraying complex characters, but her role as Rona might be one of her most nuanced to date. She effortlessly captures the pain, anger, and confusion that come with addiction, as well as the moments of quiet introspection and hope. Her ability to shift from moments of intense emotional outburst to soft, reflective silence is a testament to her incredible range as an actress.

Ronan’s portrayal of Rona is both powerful and deeply empathetic. We feel her pain, her guilt, and her longing for redemption. At times, Rona’s actions are hard to watch, as she lashes out at those around her, including her ex-boyfriend Daynin (played by Paapa Essiedu). Yet, even in her most self-destructive moments, Ronan makes us care for Rona, showing us the depth of her internal struggle and the weight of her unresolved issues.

Essiedu, though given less screen time, also delivers a strong performance. His character, Daynin, serves as a grounding force in Rona’s life, and his brief but impactful moments on screen leave a lasting impression. His silent glances speak volumes, conveying a deep sense of care and sadness for the woman he once loved but can no longer reach.

A Story of Addiction, Healing, and the Search for Belonging

At its core, The Outrun is a story about addiction and the long, painful road to recovery. Rona’s battle with alcoholism is portrayed with brutal honesty, never shying away from the ugliness of her addiction. The film delves into her time in rehab, the moments of relapse, and the constant struggle to regain control of her life. But while The Outrun doesn’t sugarcoat the difficulties of recovery, it also offers a glimmer of hope. Rona’s journey is one of healing, not just from her addiction but from the trauma and pain that led her to drink in the first place.

The film’s exploration of addiction is nuanced and complex. It doesn’t offer easy answers or quick fixes, but instead, it shows the slow and often painful process of self-discovery and healing. Rona’s return to the Orkney Islands is as much about finding herself as it is about escaping the chaos of her life in London. It’s in the wild, untamed beauty of the islands that she begins to confront her demons and find a sense of belonging.

Structural Weaknesses and Pacing Issues

While The Outrun excels in its emotional depth and visual storytelling, it does suffer from some structural weaknesses. The nonlinear narrative, while effective in mirroring Rona’s fractured state of mind, can at times feel disjointed and confusing. The film jumps back and forth between past and present without always providing clear signposts, which may leave some viewers struggling to keep up with the timeline.

Additionally, the film’s pacing is uneven. At nearly two hours long, there are moments where the story feels prolonged, especially as it lingers in Rona’s darker, more despairing moments. The repetitive nature of her struggles, while realistic, can feel exhausting at times. The film doesn’t truly find its footing until the final act, where Rona’s journey finally starts to coalesce, and the direction becomes clearer. If the film had reached this point earlier, it might have felt more cohesive overall.

Despite these issues, the film’s ending is both satisfying and poignant. Fingscheidt and Liptrot have crafted a story that, while occasionally chaotic, ultimately delivers a powerful message about addiction, healing, and the importance of reconnecting with both nature and oneself.

The Outrun: A Visually Stunning and Emotionally Resonant Debut

In her feature debut, Nora Fingscheidt proves herself to be a director with a unique voice and a strong visual style. The Outrun is a film that captures the raw, messy nature of addiction and recovery, while also celebrating the beauty of the natural world and its power to heal. While the film’s structure could have been tighter, its emotional core is undeniable, thanks in large part to Saoirse Ronan’s exceptional performance.

The Outrun is not just a film about addiction; it’s a film about finding your way back to yourself after losing your way. It’s about the healing power of nature, the importance of confronting your past, and the difficult but necessary journey toward self-acceptance. For anyone who has ever felt lost, The Outrun offers a reminder that sometimes, the only way forward is to return to where you began.

A Must-Watch for Fans of Poetic Cinema

If you’re a fan of visually stunning, emotionally driven films that explore the complexities of human nature, then The Outrun is a must-watch. While it may stumble in its pacing and structure, its heartfelt storytelling, breathtaking cinematography, and Saoirse Ronan’s powerhouse performance make it a film that will linger in your mind long after the credits roll.

Whether you’re drawn in by the beauty of Scotland’s Orkney Islands or the raw emotional depth of Rona’s journey, The Outrun is a film that invites you to reflect on your own relationship with nature, addiction, and healing.