'Withdrawal' Review: An Applaud Worthy Hidden Gem for Those That Can Handle it
- Becca Johnson
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Becca Johnson - May 7, 2025
A directorial debut from actor and filmmaker Aaron Strand, Withdrawal tells the haunting story of Viv (Millie Rose Evans) and Jay (Brent Michal), a pair of artistic lovers who become trapped in a vicious cycle of co-dependent heroin addiction. When Viv’s wealthy parents hire an interventionist to take Viv to rehab, the couple decides to set off on their own with the help of a Suboxone prescription… all they have to do is survive a harrowing night through drug withdrawal.
Superbly acted and jarringly raw and realistic to the core, Withdrawal offers a harsh look at drug addiction through expert filmmaking.
There is no point during Withdrawal where it becomes even remotely an easy watch. Forcing its audience through this overnight drug withdrawal alongside our characters and never shying away from showing every grizzly detail, Withdrawal is as much a horror story and word of warning as it is a romantic drama. Night sweats, hallucinations, vomiting and an inability to relax are only a few of the hardships the pair face, really putting into perspective how damning addiction can be, even when you’re trying your best to come out of it. There are a few instances of hope within the script, but the majority of the run-time is a tough watch. One scene in particular is highly emotional, featuring our characters in a bathtub discussing what they’re looking forward to when they come out the other side. Even simple day-to-day joys like going out for dinner are out of reach for the pair. The line ‘I can’t wait to laugh again’ feels like a gut-punch. Not since 2000’s Requiem for a Dream has drug addiction been so disturbing.
Really selling this story are the two lead performances from Millie Rose Evans (The In Between) and Brent Michal. Entirely believable at all times, the pair give emotional, heart-breaking turns that never let us doubt the trauma the pair are facing. Their chemistry and love for one another feels genuine, yet they are equally good at highlighting the damaging co-dependency they share. Wanting to face this together but knowing they’re bad for each other, it’s quite a complex bond, and both Evans and Michal portray it well. Their biggest achievement is how real the characters become, as it times, it’s easy to forget that they’re fictional. The story is told largely through flashbacks, showing us snippets of the couples lives before the drugs took over; this not only makes Withdrawal a whole lot more saddening and real, showing how easily it can happen, but allows the pair to really flex their range. They are both ones to watch.
Aaron Strand shows a lot of promise and talent with his directorial debut. It’s not an easy story to tackle, but both his writing and direction are solid. The character development is great, with real attention paid to helping us care for Viv and Jay despite their challenging choices. The dual timeline deepens the story well, allowing an occasional rest break from the harrowing night whilst developing the characters and plot nicely. The film is also technically impressive, with intimate cinematography from Emily Marquet.
The aesthetic of Withdrawal is everything a drug-fuelled nightmare should be - gritty, grimy and messy, making you feel like taking a hot shower afterwards. The graffiti on the walls of the couples dimly-lit apartment, the saturated colour grading and the overall vibe and tone of the flick make Withdrawal very reminiscent of Trainspotting (1996) - in the best and worst way possible. Clocking in at just 93 minutes, it doesn’t overstay its welcome. The script remains poignant throughout, with a particularly memorable ending and the right balance of romance and art with the gut-wrenching drama.
Despite being a hard watch due to its harrowing subject matter and its abrupt, dark and show-all approach to it, Withdrawal is nothing short of an applaud-worthy hidden gem for those who can stomach it. With two extremely real and raw performances at its core, a balanced script and a very distinct visual style, Withdrawal is as impressive and beautiful as it is disgusting and depressing.
Withdrawal had its world premiere at the 2025 Atlanta Film Festival
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