After more than a decade in the music industry, Charli XCX is undergoing a profound reintroduction. While she has recently explored acting in films like The Moment and Faces of Death, her performance in Erupcja stands in a league of its own. Premiering at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival, this film serves as her technical debut—and it is the least "Charli XCX" movie yet. She disappears into her role so completely that she emerges not just as a pop star, but as an essential cinematic voice.
A Cinematic Explosion in Warsaw
True to its name (the Polish word for "eruption"), Erupcja is a film defined by sudden emotional explosions. Directed by the poetic Pete Ohs—who also served as cinematographer and editor—this is his most fully realized work to date. Following the lo-fi success of OBEX, Ohs brings a deep, tactile care to this portrait of life, love, and the chaos that ensues when stability is undone.
The film follows a motley trio whose lives become entangled in modern Warsaw. While its 71-minute runtime might suggest a "slight" narrative, the story contains a boundless sense of urgent emotion. Ohs utilizes his unique creative process to transform the setting:
- Warsaw acts as more than just a backdrop; it is a character filled with timeless vibrancy.
- The film explores how even the smallest, most humble origins can contain vast existential resonance.
- The narrative operates through lyrical, fractured rhythms that catch the viewer off guard.
Collaborative Musical Combustion
The production of Erupcja feels less like a traditional shoot and more like a work of musical combustion. Ohs co-wrote the film alongside his talented collaborators, including Charli XCX, Lena Góra, Will Madden, and Jeremy O. Harris. Much like Paul McCartney pulling music from the ether in Get Back, Ohs allows for discovery, with scenes that feel uncovered rather than strictly scripted.
The plot centers on Bethany (XCX) and Rob (Madden), a couple traveling to Warsaw. While Rob intends to propose, we quickly learn that Bethany’s connection to the city is tied to a whirlwind romance with Nel (Góra). As Bethany pursues Nel, Rob is left questioning if he truly knows the woman he intends to marry.
The Art of Intoxicating Filmmaking
Ohs excels at elevating ordinary premises into something extraordinary. Drawing on his experience from Jethica, he shoots every corner of Warsaw with stunning precision. When Bethany and Nel reunite, the filmmaking becomes dizzying and intoxicating. Through quick cuts and bursts of music, Ohs captures the overwhelming joy of their reconnection, making the audience want to run away to Poland alongside them.
The film balances these high-energy moments with quiet, contemplative observations:
- The loneliness of city life is captured as Nel closes her flower shop.
- Quiet scenes on bridges allow the characters to exist within the bustling sounds of the city.
- Wry narration by Jacek Zubiel adds a layer of omniscient depth to the characters' unspoken desires.
In this Erupcja review, it is clear that Ohs has mastered the art of the fleeting connection. From the ashes of one relationship, unexpected bonds are born, proving that even in a world of constant change, some connections are destined to remain linked forever.
