Explore the Screenplay of Eva Victor’s Feature Film on Reclaiming Your Strength
A24 has secured the indie dramatic comedy, which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, and released it in theaters in late June. The film has since garnered significant acclaim, earning a nomination for Best Original Screenplay at the Critics Choice Awards. Victor, known for their role in Showtime’s Billions, received a nomination for Best Actress – Drama at the Golden Globes. Additionally, the film is in the running for Best Picture, Best Screenplay, and Best Director at the Indie Spirits.
Written by Victor during the Covid lockdown while residing in a cabin in Maine, the story centers on Agnes, who lives in an isolated home near a New England college—a place where she and her college roommate, Lydie (portrayed by Naomi Ackie, who is also a Spirit nominee for Supporting Performer), once shared a bond as students. While Lydie and others have moved on, Agnes remains on the cusp of landing a prestigious position in her former English department. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear why Agnes feels trapped: she is haunted by a traumatic incident involving her thesis mentor (Louis Cancelmi) during her last year of school.
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The film does not depict the act itself; rather, it presents Agnes emerging from the incident with the trauma haunting her as an indelible part of her existence, a powerful narrative device that resonates deeply.
The storyline unfolds in a series of non-linear segments, utilizing dark humor to convey Agnes’ perspective. The narrative shifts between the past and present, portraying her struggle to move beyond a pivotal moment that remains etched in her memory. As she grapples with her past, Agnes is supported by her devoted friend Lydie, now living in New York, and a compassionate neighbor, portrayed by Lucas Hedges, who helps guide her toward healing.
“I found myself writing the film I felt I needed when I found myself in a similar crisis to Agnes,” Victor shares, noting that the script stayed largely true to the original draft. “I didn’t want to write about violence or assault specifically as much as I wanted to explore how a person heals. What interested me most was digging into that feeling of being stuck, seeing people you love moving on, while you’re still caught thick in the bad thing that happened to you. I started out writing this for the person I used to be.”
The film received production support from Barry Jenkins, Adele Romanski, and Mark Ceryak’s Pastel, who encouraged Victor not only to write and star but also to direct.
Read the screenplay below.
