Mandy (Billie Piper) is a mess. A single mum to a young son, she’s constantly conflicted about her ultra-competitive media career, clashing with her unhappy parents, and attracted to the wrong men. She’s also smart and self-aware.

Acutely conscious of the demands placed on women to “have it all,” she is still weighed down by crippling self-esteem issues. When she begins a new relationship with needy, passive-aggressive Pete (Leo Bill), what could possibly go… right? Billed as an “anti-rom-com”, this is the debut feature from acclaimed British actress turned writer-director Piper.

It’s a bold, brutally funny, and confrontational look at modern feminism, the pressures to embody social ideals, accept one’s emotional fragility and still grapple with one’s personal demons, particularly in light of the #MeToo movement.

Amid a terrific ensemble cast (David Thewlis, Lily James), Piper’s heartfelt lead performance is unflinching in her lack of emotional and physical vanity. A rare beast indeed.