Writer Eva Victor expresses that 'Sorry, Baby' movie was a project she felt compelled to develop.
In the world of cinema, the Sundance Film Festival in 2025 was a significant moment for a unique film titled "Sorry, Baby." Directed, written, and starring Eva Victor, the film was sold to A24 for around $8 million, marking a promising start for this poignant production.
"Sorry, Baby" centres around Agnes, a college professor, who is depicted as she navigates the complex journey of recovery from a sexual assault. The narrative is a raw and honest portrayal of everyday survival after a traumatic event, demonstrating the irrevocable changes that life undergoes while also highlighting the resilience of the human spirit.
Key themes in the film include trauma and recovery, friendship, the passage of time, memory, and the impact of trauma. The narrative focuses on Agnes' experience processing her assault and adapting to her post-trauma reality over several years. The relationship between Agnes and her old friend Lydie serves as a beacon of camaraderie, genuine connection, and open discussion, providing warmth amid the trauma.
The film skillfully balances the gravity of trauma with moments of humour and friendship, portraying recovery as a messy, ongoing process that involves both pain and resilience. This tonal balance offers a tribute to everyday survival rather than a straightforward tragic or comedic narrative.
"Sorry, Baby" is described as an irreverent, dark comedy-drama that neither trivializes the trauma nor becomes a heavy, dour depiction. Wry humour, realistic dialogue, and tender moments are used to humanize Agnes and depict survival with nuances. The humour is not lighthearted comedy but a coping mechanism woven naturally into the story, illustrating the complex reality of living with trauma without it defining every interaction.
The film stars Naomi Ackie, Lucas Hedges, and Louis Cancelmi, and was produced by Academy Award winner Barry Jenkins. Eva Victor made the decision not to show the sexual assault in the film to keep the audience's body safe while watching.
After being in Victor's mind for a long time, "Sorry, Baby" was screened at the Sundance Film Festival. The film was adapted and edited for digital by Majd Al-Waheidi and Obed Manuel, and the copyright is owned by NPR in 2025. The film opened in select theaters in June 2025 and had a wider release earlier in July 2025.
In an interview, Eva Victor described Liddy, Agnes' best friend in the film, as warm, funny, and heart-forward. The assault is referred to only obliquely, as "the bad thing," and the story unfolds across nonlinear chapters in a college town over several years.
"Sorry, Baby" is a tender, offbeat film about life before and after a sexual assault, emotionally staying with Agnes and not being ahead of her, remaining in her confusion, fear, and doom. Victor's use of humour to explore trauma makes for a compelling and thought-provoking cinematic experience.
Education and self-development can greatly benefit from watching "Sorry, Baby," a poignant production that depicts the complex journey of recovery from a sexual assault, offering valuable insights into resilience and survival. Additionally, personal growth can be fostered by discussing the themes of friendship, the passage of time, memory, and trauma's impact, all of which are central to this irreverent dark comedy-drama.
