Elyse

This interesting if imperfect drama is the debut film from Stella Hopkins, a writer-director who's married to actor Anthony Hopkins. He elevates Elyse, which has some of the markers of a student film, in the sense that it's clear that Stella Hopkins is still learning the ropes of writing and directing. That "student project" feel gives the movie a naive charm, but some viewers might think it's too naive in how it approaches a heavy subject like mental illness. Plus, it features a non-disabled actor playing a disabled role. According to WebMD, catatonia can occur to one in 10 people with severe mental illness, meaning it isn't an uncommon experience. Could it have been possible to find an actor who had personal experience with catatonia? Possibly. But while it's true that anyone can develop severe mental illness, some viewers might feel offended by seeing Pepper "crip up."

Despite this issue, Elyse is a competently made film that's engrossing despite its dark subject matter. Stylistic choices keep the film feeling unique, and Anthony Hopkins, of course, delivers a solid performance, forcing the other actors to step up their game. As far as debuts go, it's a solid start for Stella Hopkins' film career.