Reality (2023)

Tina Satter’s directorial debut, “Reality”, is a gripping and intense film exploring the story of Reality Winner, a former American intelligence specialist sentenced to prison for leaking classified information to the media. The film is based on the verbatim transcript of the FBI’s interrogation of Winner, and Satter’s approach allows the language to take centre stage.

The film’s bare-bones approach is accurate, with most of the action taking place in one room, with three people talking. The camera angles are fascinating, and the flashbacks are brief, with no attempt to “open up” the story.

Sydney Sweeney’s performance as Reality Winner is outstanding, and she portrays the character’s vulnerability and torment with extraordinary skill. Josh Hamilton and Marchánt Davis also perform strongly as the FBI agents who interrogate Winner. The film’s production design and cinematography are fascinating, with the unforgiving strip-lit interiors highlighting the gap between civility and catastrophe. 

“Reality” is a palm-sweating, tense whistleblower drama that is a stranger-than-fiction reflection of the current political climate. It reminds us of how important whistleblowers are and how necessary government transparency is. While the film doesn’t quite work in some respects, it’s a fascinating movie that left me enthralled and on the edge of my seat. “Reality” is a skilful exploration of a real-life occurrence featuring enthralling performances that deeply connected with me.

(In cinemas in Australia – check your local movie guide for show times.)