‘Tuesday’ Review – A Surreal Journey Through Grief And Defiance

In Tuesday, grief becomes a silent symphony, composed of the intricate melodies of sorrow and the haunting echoes of acceptance. Through the lens of Zora, embodied by the ever-adaptable Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and her dying daughter, Tuesday, portrayed by Lola Petticrew, we witness an unconventional tango with loss. Zora, shackled by the impending departure of her beloved child, retreats not into the shadows of despair, but rather into the façade of normalcy. While ostensibly engaged in the charade of daily life, she surrenders herself to the solace of park benches and the gentle embrace of indulgence, as if seeking refuge from the relentless march of time itself.

Meanwhile, Tuesday, ensconced in her bed or the tender caress of a garden wheelchair, confronts the ephemeral nature of existence with each labored breath, wheezing a haunting reminder of mortality’s inevitability. And amidst this delicate dance of grief, one morning brings an unexpected visitor: Death, cloaked in the guise of a parrot-like bird, blurs the boundaries between reality and imagination, inviting Zora and Tuesday to embrace their fears, confront their regrets, and ultimately find solace in the tender embrace of acceptance.

In the grand symphony of existence, Death emerges as a solemn conductor, his voice echoing with the weight of eternity as he responds to the silent calls of departing souls. With feathered wings outstretched like ethereal sails, he guides them toward the enigmatic horizon of the beyond. Yet, amidst this timeless procession of farewells and arrivals, an unexpected harmony arises with Tuesday. Her laughter, a defiant melody against the somber melodies of mortality, entwines Death in an unforeseen embrace.

Together, they traverse the surreal canvas of existence, their shared moments enveloped in the intoxicating aroma of indulgence. Amidst swirling tendrils of smoke, Tuesday, a beacon of youthful spirit, dares to challenge the confines of destiny, pleading with Death for one final glimpse of maternal warmth before the inevitable journey into eternity. But fate, ever capricious in its design, reveals its mysterious hand when Zora, fueled by the primal instinct of maternal love, ignites a desperate act of defiance against Death’s relentless pursuit.

In a surreal tableau of maternal devotion, Zora, her resolve tempered in the crucible of love, immolates Death in a desperate bid to shield her daughter from the inexorable grip of fate. In this cosmic ballet between life’s fleeting embrace and the infinite expanse beyond, Zora’s sacrifice stands as a testament to the unyielding power of a mother’s love, transcending even the boundaries of existence itself to safeguard the delicate thread of her daughter’s life.

In the ethereal realm of Tuesday, Zora and her daughter embark on a journey beyond the mundane, delving into the depths of mortality and the mysterious role of Death. As Zora confronts the essence of her newfound existence, a profound truth emerges: the world, with its intricate weave of life, craves the gentle closure that only endings can provide. Without the soothing balm of conclusion, chaos and desolation loom, casting dark shadows across the delicate fabric of reality, threatening to unravel the very essence of existence itself.

Within the tenderly crafted narrative woven by Daina O. Pusic, both director and writer of this cinematic gem, Zora becomes the vessel through which the kaleidoscope of human emotion is explored. Her journey becomes a mirror reflecting the multifaceted spectrum of human experience, each emotion and reaction a vibrant hue painting the canvas of existence with the complexities of life itself. Through the mesmerizing performances of Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Lola Petticrew, the surreal landscape of Tuesday unfurls with threads of heartache, resilience, and, ultimately, acceptance.

While Tuesday may don the guise of a fantasy drama, its essence pulsates with an authenticity that goes beyond the boundaries of the fantastical. It resonates with a raw emotional intensity, a testament to the tender care and dedication imbued by Pusic and the ensemble cast, including the luminous Leah Harvey. Within the tender embrace of their characters, the narrative blossoms into a poignant meditation on loss and the profound ways in which it shapes our very existence.

In the crescendo of its narrative arc, Tuesday spreads its wings with a grace that lingers, a testament to the transformative power of storytelling that eclipses the confines of the screen. Amidst a cinematic landscape teeming with tales of grief and loss, Tuesday emerges as a beacon of introspection, inviting viewers to traverse the labyrinth of human emotion with an open heart and a willingness to confront life’s inherent transience.

In the skilled hands of Pusic, Tuesday surpasses the boundaries of mere cinema; it becomes a profound journey of catharsis, a gentle reminder that death, though unavoidable, heralds the dawn of a new chapter in the eternal fabric of existence. As viewers traverse the enchanting realm of Tuesday, they are urged to confront their own innermost fears, aspirations, and, ultimately, their embrace of life’s fleeting beauty. It’s a cinematic odyssey that, while at times challenging, leaves an enduring imprint on the soul, solidifying Pusic’s position among the ranks of visionary filmmakers and establishing Tuesday as an essential experience for cinephiles worldwide.

Tuesday is currently playing in theaters courtesy of A24.