‘The Trouble with Jessica’ Film Review
The exquisite ensemble elevates this very British dark comedy
Film: The Trouble with Jessica. Year: 2023. Genre: Comedy. Director: Matt Winn
You know what happens when your friend brings an unwanted guest to your dinner party. Razor-sharp insults, awkward silences and an unnerving atmosphere are present throughout the evening. However, in The Trouble with Jessica, the latest movie by director Matt Winn (We Are Happy, The Brunchers), an even darker vibe hangs in the party house. While Winn’s British dark comedy can count on an excellent ensemble cast, including Shirley Henderson and Richard Sewell, who certainly elevates this movie, only some elements in this feature are equally great.
While Jessica might not have been invited to Sarah’s (Shirley Henderson) and Tom’s (Alan Tudyk) dinner party, you certainly are. The loving couple invites their friends to have one last dinner at the lavishing, modern house. Sarah and Tom are selling their super-stylish London home (later, it will become clear that it’s not by choice) and want to have a final, fun and relaxing meal with the other couple, Richard (Rufus Sewell) and Beth (Olivia Williams). However, when Beth brings the uninvited guest Jessica (Indira Varma) to the party, it will become everything but that.
