It’s also a necessary movie to make, and one that feels deeply intimate and personal.
What Is ‘Satisfaction’ About?
Lola seems incredibly distant.
Image via SXSW
Philip quickly notices this and his jealousy is obvious.
Laird’s performance is quieter and more somber.
For most of the movie, she’s either emotionally numb or in a deep state of depression.
Set against the backdrop of the Greek isles, Satisfaction follows Lola as she seeks revenge on her partner, Philip. Their encounter with the enigmatic Elena challenges Lola with a new perspective, encouraging her to confront her underlying struggles.
This is not a melodramatic or showy performance whatsoever, but it feels so grounded and bare.
Nothing about how Laird plays Lola feels fake or artificial.
She feels like a real person, someone with a complex array of emotions just scratching the service.
The first film arrives this summer.
Even when they first meet, there’s something about Whitehead’s Philip that just feels off.
He has awkward interactions with Lola, even when they are long into their relationship.
Buronova constructs a dour tone that feels appropriate, but at times makesthe movie’s atmosphere feel too overwhelming.
For the most part, Buronova restrains herself when illustrating Lola’s conflicts.
The non-linear structure feels natural and smooth, up until a point.
It’s almost too much.
It perfectly encapsulates the movie’s bleak tone while simultaneously reflecting on the beauty of the landscapes.
Satisfactionpremiered at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival.
