Page
Hard Truths
- Summary
- How to watch
- News & features
❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).
Watch trailer
02:14
Hard Truths
Save
- 2023
- Mike Leigh
- 96 mins
- 12A
Summary
Drama starring Marianne Jean-Baptiste and Michele Austin. The terminally ill-tempered Pansy lashes out at everyone: her introverted husband and son, her doctor and dentist, and often total strangers. Her sister, Chantelle, lives a far cheerier life and tries to encourage Pansy to work through her issues, with volatile results.
Ad
Powered By
IMDB
Review
A star rating of 4 out of 5.
James Mottram
Mike Leigh is on familiar but fruitful ground with this London-set family drama. The story of two siblings with very different attitudes to life, it's a potent examination of not only sisterhood but also marriage and mental ill health. Marianne Jean-Baptiste, reuniting with Leigh for the first since since 1995's Secrets & Lies, plays Pansy, a troubled mother-of-one who is permanently angry at the world. She's particularly resentful of her laid-back sister Chantelle (Michele Austin), a hairdresser who has a loving relationship with her two daughters. Exploring issues of anxiety and grief, this highly empathetic tale is Leigh's first film with an almost entirely Black cast. Jean-Baptiste gives one of her finest performances, and some scenes (notably a get-together at Chantelle's flat) are almost unbearably uncomfortable to watch. Some stock characters are recognisable from earlier Leigh films - Pansy's insular, overweight son Moses recalls James Corden in All or Nothing - but overall this is a finely etched character study, and Leigh and his cast offer engagingly nuanced work.
imdb-square
7.1/10
How to watch
Loading
Streaming
Credits
Cast
rolenamePansyMarianne Jean-BaptisteChantelleMichele AustinCurtleyDavid WebberMosesTuwaine BarrettDanielElliot EdusahSavannahTiwa LadeNicoleSamantha Spiro
Show more
Crew
rolenameDirectorMike Leigh
Details
Theatrical distributor
StudioCanal
Released on
2025-01-31
Languages
English
Guidance
Swearing, sexual references
Formats
Colour
News & features about Hard Truths
-
Hard Truths review: No Oscar nomination for Marianne Jean-Baptiste is criminal
The new film from Mike Leigh proves the 81 year-old is still a master of British realist cinema.
-
Marianne Jean-Baptiste on Hard Truths: "Usually, women behaving badly aren't tolerated"
Jean-Baptiste leads the new film from director Mike Leigh.
Ad
-
Doctor Who star Jo Martin will receive special award to recognise how she has "forged a trailblazing path"
The actor, who made history as the Fugitive Doctor, will be honoured by the British Urban Film Festival for her impact on film, television and representation.
-
Animals review: Ben Affleck's Netflix thriller is richly rewarding and suspenseful ★★★★☆
This gripping drama plays out like a typical crime thriller until it wrongfoots viewers by pivoting to a more layered study of right and wrong.
-
Kimberly Akimbo review: Maria Friedman triumphs in this quirky, affecting musical ★★★★☆
The five-time Tony Award-winning musical is a must-see.
-
Pierre cast: Who stars in the 6-part drama?
Your essential guide to the cast of Pierre.
-
BAFTA Film Awards winners 2025: Full list as Conclave and The Brutalist win big
Edward Berger's papal thriller won the top prize.
Ad
-
BAFTA Film Awards nominations 2025: Full list of nominees confirmed
The full list of nominees has been revealed ahead of the 2025 ceremony.
-
Babies cast: Paapa Essiedu and Siobhán Cullen star
Stefan Golaszweski's new BBC series has an excellent cast.
-
Full list of winners from Olivia Dean to Stephen Graham
It was a big night of musical celebration.
-
Black Mirror season 7 release date and more cast confirmed – watch the trailer now
The Penguin's Cristin Milioti is among the star-studded roster of the upcoming episodes.
-
EastEnders fan-favourite nominated beside Adolescence and Sinners stars at MOBO Awards 2026
The awards will take place in March in Manchester.
-
The Ultimatum season 3 release schedule: When do new episodes land on Netflix?
Here's when you can tune in!
-
Best films released in the UK this month: January 2025
Highlights include Nickel Boys, The Brutalist and Hard Truths.
-
Doctor Who – Lux ending explained: How did the Doctor defeat Mr Ring-a-Ding?
The Pantheon of Gods has returned!
-
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder cast: Who stars in season 2?
Wednesday and A Minecraft Movie's Emma Myers stars as Pip, who's on a mission to track down her friend's brother.
-
Captain America: Brave New World review – An insipid and cobbled together failure
The latest MCU entry does little to revive the beleaguered franchise.
-
Emilia Pérez and Conclave lead the way
There were also some surprising omissions for Gladiator II and Angelina Jolie's Maria.
-
EastEnders boss reveals Nigel Bates's young onset dementia storyline will explore "challenges" after diagnosis
The BBC soap is working with Dementia UK on the storyline.
-
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy review – May just be the best one to date
Renée Zellweger is back for a fourth outing as the hapless singleton – with the film picking up four years after a profound tragedy.
-
Waiting for the Out cast: Josh Finan and Phil Daniels star in the BBC drama
The drama's cast also includes Stephen Wight and Samantha Spiro in key roles.
-
Oscars 2025: The case for The Brutalist to win Best Picture
Starring Adrien Brody, the American epic from director Brady Corbet towers over the competition in more ways than one...
-
The Mitford sisters were Outrageous – the title of new TV biopic is justified, say cast
The new period drama is based on the true story of the aristocratic English family.
-
Severance season 2: Release date, plot, trailer, latest news
Waffle parties all round – the critically-acclaimed Apple TV+ series is coming back for more.
See more about Hard Truths
Ad
Ad
Ad