“Judy & Punch” isn’t your typical period film. We’re not talking about some grand Shakespearean drama that has been remade a million times previously. “Judy & Punch,” while featuring the same incredible period costumes you expect from a film of this type, carries a much different plot than you might anticipate.
As seen in the new trailer for the film, the story follows the title characters, a married couple that runs a marionette show. The teamwork between Judy and Punch has led to many fans, but when the husband begins to drink a bit more, the violence of their performances begins to carry over into the real world, leading Judy down a path of revenge.
“Judy & Punch” stars Mia Wasikowska, Damon Herriman, Tom Budge, Benedict Hardie, Lucy Velik, and Terry Norris. Mirrah Foulkes, who is probably best known as an actress appearing in series such as “Mr. Inbetween” and “The Crown,” makes her writing and directorial debut with the film.
In our review of the film, from 2019’s Sundance, we said, “In spite of the unfortunate narrative hiccups, Foulkes’ capacity to maneuver a production of this size with numerous costumes, VFX, intricate sets, and a first-rate cast on her first try is undeniable. It’s also her ambition to attempt something with an ambiguous feel that situates the filmmaker as a compelling voice to track in the future.”
“Judy & Punch” arrives in theaters on April 24.
Here’s the synopsis:
In the anarchic town of Seaside, nowhere near the sea, puppeteers Judy and Punch are trying to resurrect their marionette show. The show is a hit due to Judy’s superior puppeteering, but Punch’s driving ambition and penchant for whisky lead to an inevitable tragedy that Judy must avenge.