Common Sense Media Review
By Stefan Pape
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Well-performed drama about grief has smoking, sex, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Souvenir: Part II
What's the Story?
THE SOUVENIR: PART II catches up with budding filmmaker Julie (Honor Swinton Byrne), who is struggling to overcome the untimely death of her ex-boyfriend. With her graduation at film school fast approaching, she decides to tell the story of his demise, and their tempestuous love affair, hoping to find some kind of closure along the way.
Is It Any Good?
This worthy follow-up to writer and director Joanna Hogg's 2019 movie, cements her as one of the most impressive voices in contemporary British cinema. The Souvenir: Part II is a distinctly personal, semi-autobiographical affair. It is almost overwhelming in how intelligently devised it is. Wickedly meta, the movie plays on the conventions of traditional storytelling. Julie -- played once again by the impressive Swinton Byrne -- effectively retells the story from part one of the The Souvenir through her student filmmaking project. As such, the movie works as a film about grief, but also as a really shrewd insight into the world of filmmaking and filmmakers.
Hogg must also be commended for bringing out such an array of subtle and naturalistic performances, each character so searingly authentic. None more so than Swinton Byrne's real-life mother, Tilda Swinton, who reprises her role as Julie's mother, Rosalind. Then there's the brilliant character of Patrick, again hilariously portrayed by Richard Ayoade. A firm highlight from the first film, his inclusion -- which is lengthier and even funnier than what came before -- certainly feels like Hogg was giving the fans what they wanted. As a fan, all we can say here is thank you. Now give that man a spin-off.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how grief and loss were portrayed in The Souvenir: Part II. How did it compare to characters dealing with these issues in other movies you've seen? Have you suffered a loss of any kind? How did you find ways to cope? How to talk to kids about difficult subjects.
Discuss why so many characters smoked in the movie. Did they make it look cool? Were there consequences? Why does that matter?
Discuss the language used in the movie. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
How did the movie portray sex? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 29, 2021
- On DVD or streaming : October 29, 2021
- Cast : Honor Swinton Byrne , Tilda Swinton , Richard Ayoade
- Director : Joanna Hogg
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : A24
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Arts
- Character Strengths : Courage , Perseverance
- Run time : 106 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong sexuality, and language
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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