26/39
Bailey seeks attention and adventure elsewhere
Chronology
Bailey lives with his brother Hunter and father Bug, who is raising them alone in a squat in north Kent. Bug doesn’t have much time to devote to them. Barry Keoghan dropped out of Gladijator II (2024) to star in this film instead..
Edited at Fontaines DC: Bug (2024)
This film breaks convention with its cinematography, using shaky, dynamic and fast-paced shots. It’s a stylistic choice that I both loved and hated. The aspect ratio and shooting format added an aesthetic that perfectly suited the raw, raw tone of the film.
The plot is a montage of nostalgic clips weaving love, hate, drama and conflict into Bailey’s story
The soundtrack, a blend of rock, ambient, British hip-hop and indie, is another notable element, immersing you in the culture the film describes. I was fascinated by the insights into Bailey’s life – how she lives, the people she meets and the culture that shapes her world. It is so removed from the experience of the average middle-class person that it feels authentic and intimate.
Still, it’s refreshing to see a story centered on flawed, raw characters
At times, the narrative shifts between characters, leaving me unsure of the film’s focus. We’re used to polished movies with beautiful people, but Bird embraces the messy and the ugly—and finds beauty in them. The film is deeply personal, leaving me with shared emotions and mixed feelings.