Prima Facie film review: Cynthia Erivo’s harrowing tear-jerker

Prima Facie, directed by Susanna White, received a ★★★★ rating and is based on a 2022 play with the same title. The film, starring Cynthia Erivo in the lead role, is a powerful adaptation of Miller's writing, which won her an Olivier Award in 2023. The story follows Tessa Ensler, a successful criminal defense barrister who has made a fortune defending men who may be guilty, but is forced to reconsider her moral compass after a personal tragedy.

Erivo takes on the role of Ensler, a working-class woman who rises to a position typically reserved for the privately educated elite. Her portrayal of Ensler's physical transformation from a confident barrister to a vulnerable individual is particularly noteworthy, as her eyes become wide and teary as she grapples with the emotional toll of her work.

The film aims to maintain the character-driven intensity of the stage production by incorporating numerous tracking shots of Erivo walking past London courthouses and along the river. While the cinematography is straightforward, it effectively conveys the gravity of the legal system's role in societal change. Some critics have noted the presence of didactic elements, but these are largely unavoidable given the film's focus on a courtroom setting as the foundation for discussions about reforming the justice system.

There have been some complaints about the didactic nature of the story, but the film's message is more than justified due to the systemic injustices faced by women. The harrowing plot leaves an emotional impact, as multiple women were moved to tears during the London Film Festival screening. This male critic also found himself deeply moved throughout the screening. Prima Facie is currently playing in UK cinemas starting on November 13, 2026.