Premium Content:

Review | Shannon Murphy's 'Babyteeth' tells an unlikely love story

Babyteeth | Dir: Shannon Murphy | ★ ★ ★ ★ 

- Advertisement -

Fifteen year-old Milla Finlay (Eliza Scanlen who was in last year’s Little Women after developing her skills in Home and Away) has cancer but she is trying not to let it disrupt her life. She catches the train to her private school and continues produce heavenly music at her violin lessons with a family friend.

While waiting for the train one day, Moses (Toby Wallace from Neighbours) bumps into her (that is physically bumps into her) and disrupts her peaceful life. The 23 year-old drug addict and dealer, sporting a rats-tail and covered with tattoos, is any parents’ worst nightmare.

The besotted Milla brings Moses home to psychiatrist Henry (Ben Mendelsohn) and retired concert pianist Anna (Miss Fischer’s Essie Davis) who have a few problems of their own. Moses is high most of the time, but so is Milla’s mum who is supplied prescription drugs by her husband.

There are copious amounts of humour in the beginning of this somewhat irreverent film and some plot distractions with secondary characters but, as chemotherapy takes its toll, the possibility that Milla is running out of time overrides the comedic beginning.

Milla’s personality seems to change with the assortment of wigs that she wears and there are uncomfortable moments as Milla desperately tries to do things most teenagers do as everything is overshadowed by the reality of her situation.

Moses also keeps things real and we see his attempts to see his younger brother after his mother has banned him from her home. The scrawny Moses is far from perfect and doesn’t become a reformed person even though he cares for Milla.

Babyteeth is the debut feature film from Shannon Murphy, who is best known for directing some episodes of the third season of the cult television series Killing Eve. This unlikely love story develops as the various characters try to cope with the chaos of their lives and the bitter-sweet ending will have you in tears.

Babyteeth is out now at Luna Palace Cinemas.

Lezly Herbert


Love OUTinPerth Campaign

Help support the publication of OUTinPerth by contributing to our
GoFundMe campaign.

Latest

On This Gay Day | Nona Hendryx was born in 1944

The singer was part of LaBelle before launching her successful solo career.

Freo Dockers reveal 2025 Pride round jumper

AFLW star Kiara Bowers has highlighted the importance of inclusion in the game.

Alice Topp returns to West Australian Ballet for ‘Macbeth’ in 2026

The production will have its world premiere in New Zealand before heading to Perth.

Couch Potato | ‘Blue Lights’ returns for a gripping third season

The peelers from Belfast return for a tense new season.

Newsletter

Don't miss

On This Gay Day | Nona Hendryx was born in 1944

The singer was part of LaBelle before launching her successful solo career.

Freo Dockers reveal 2025 Pride round jumper

AFLW star Kiara Bowers has highlighted the importance of inclusion in the game.

Alice Topp returns to West Australian Ballet for ‘Macbeth’ in 2026

The production will have its world premiere in New Zealand before heading to Perth.

Couch Potato | ‘Blue Lights’ returns for a gripping third season

The peelers from Belfast return for a tense new season.

‘Urinetown, The Musical’ will be on stage this November

The show is being staged at The Liberty Theatre in the city.

On This Gay Day | Nona Hendryx was born in 1944

The singer was part of LaBelle before launching her successful solo career.

Freo Dockers reveal 2025 Pride round jumper

AFLW star Kiara Bowers has highlighted the importance of inclusion in the game.

Alice Topp returns to West Australian Ballet for ‘Macbeth’ in 2026

The production will have its world premiere in New Zealand before heading to Perth.