A One Mann’s Movies review of “Rose of Nevada” (From the 2025 London Film Festival). (2025, 3.5*, ’12A’).
I am actually a Mark Jenkin virgin, having avoided his previous two Cornish-set fishing sagas “Bait” and “Enys Men” (even though I know Mark Kermode raves over those films and we normally, though not always, share similar tastes in movies). Without even seeing them, I always rather dismissed them as gimmicky ‘style over substance’ with their almost square format; their grainy and scratchy quality; and their red ‘over-exposed’ style red flashes between cuts. But “Rose of Nevada”, I have to admit, was intriguing in a sort of “Back to the Future” meets “The Perfect Storm” sort of way, which I was not expecting.
This time, instead of an ‘unknown’ cast, we have the heavy-hitters of ‘Gorgeous’ George MacKay and (another of my mates from “The Boys in the Boat“) Callum Turner onboard.
One Mann’s Movies Rating:
Plot:
A fishing vessel – the “Rose of Nevada” – lost many years before, mysteriously turns up at the dockside in Newlyn harbour with everyone acting as if nothing is strange about that. Nick (George MacKay), with a hole in his kitchen ceiling and needing the money, signs up to be crew on its next fishing trip. But things take a surprising turn.
Certification:
UK: NR; US: NR. (The film has not yet been rated by the BBFC but I would expect it to be a 12A: I don’t immediately remember anything in it that would merit a 15 apart from perhaps a bit of language.)
Talent:
Starring: George MacKay, Callum Turner, Rosalind Eleazar, Francis Magee, Yana Penrose, Edward Rowe, Mary Woodvine.
Directed by: Mark Jenkin.
Written by: Mark Jenkin.
Running Time: 1h 54m.
Summary:
Positives:
- A really eerie script that is constantly wrong-footing you.
- Good performances.
- Some terrific editing.
Negatives:
- I still think some of the ‘Jenkinisms’ in here are more irritating than artistic.
Full Review of “Rose of Nevada”:
“She’s back”.
So says the grizzled dockhand played by Edward Rowe as – unaccountably – the Rose of Nevada, thought lost 30 years previously in a terrible storm along with her crew, is sitting there at the dockside. What follows is a real mind-fuck of a movie, twisting the threads of today’s Newlyn with that of the 90’s and where you are never quite sure where you are.
George MacKay on great form.
Mark Kermode is a massive fan of Mark Jenkin and also a massive fan of George MacKay, a regular guest at his BFI MK3D monthly shows. So I can only imagine he had a cinematic orgasm at the combination of the two together. For this is a strong performance from MacKay, acting as he does as our anchor (in the loosest possible terms) for what’s going on.
In the present day, Nick (MacKay), is living with his young family in a terraced house that is in a state of disrepair. But they have no spare money, already having to resort to a food bank in the village to get by. While trying to patch his dripping kitchen roof, Nick falls straight through it onto the kitchen floor (or is it?!) surrounded by debris.
Next door lives the dementia-ridden Mrs RIchards (Jenkin regular Mary Woodvine) and her husband. They were the parents of Luke, who was supposed to sail on the long-lost vessel but didn’t. As a result, the boat sailed short-handed which might have been a factor in its loss. “Guilt’s a hard shadow to live under” says the father and we imply that Luke committed suicide on the rugged cliffs nearby.
I’d like to explain more….
…but, to be honest, I can’t. Because a) this is a film best served without any spoilers and b) based on my roughly scribbled notes made in the dark, I can’t actually remember all of the twists and turns that led us to the conclusion. That’s how twisty-turny the plot is! It really is a very clever script
Editing
A shout-out to the editing, which Jenkin does himself. It really is very slick. For example, as Nick falls through the kitchen ceiling and his boots hit the floor, we get a subliminal shot of his fisherman’s boots hitting the deck, a shot we return to later.
Summary Thoughts:
A clever little movie, with a small dedicated cast and a lot of heart. It’s mysterious and spooky (and altogether kooky). A worthwhile watch if you stick with it.
The film is scheduled for a UK cinema release sometime in 2026.
Where to watch?
Trailer:
At the time of writing there was no trailer available for the film.
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