Shoshana 2025 Movie Review
As history repeats itself in Gaza, filmmaker Michael Winterbottom brings audiences Shoshana, based on the true love story of Shoshana Borochov, a Jewish woman, and Thomas Wilkin, a British police officer, set against the backdrop of the British Mandate in Palestine during the 1930s. The two must navigate a relationship amid growing political unrest and British colonial presence.
Shoshana is a reporter and daughter of a Zionist, deft at navigating the social circles of all parties. Her relationship with a British officer becomes more challenging as global power shifts and threats come from every corner. Shoshana considers herself an open-minded, modern Jew, while Tom’s traditionally English gallantry and work with the Tel Aviv locals have garnered him respect. The two are darling as a couple.
As violence increases, Tom finds himself passed over for a promotion in favor of his aggressive superior, Geoffrey Morton. The two have vastly different ideologies, throwing a wrench in plans to temper the community. Morton uses Tom’s locally curated connections to advance his particular brand of justice while increasing pressure on his already precarious relationship with Shoshana.
Understanding history is key to managing your expectations of this unsettling narrative. Each side wholeheartedly believes their point of view is worth dying for, but the film leans into the violence perpetrated by self-proclaimed Zionists. Intense scenes of bombmaking make your stomach sour, as your imagination runs wild, knowing the carnage they will inflict.
Winterbottom utilizes archival footage, specifically wartime propaganda films, juxtaposed with scenes of abject cruelty that counter the messaging. Winterbottom expressed interest in telling the history of British Mandate Palestine, as it was not well-known in Britain.
The film smartly positions Shoshana within her friend group as they discuss the complexities of the political sphere. They appear to represent the average Jewish person by making it clear they abhor violence and feel just as conflicted with a history that cannot be defined as cut and dry. The irony of the modern media solely portraying Arab terrorist exclaiming their praises to their god right before they blow themselves up in a crowded square will not be lost as you witness this particular history. Winterbottom highlights the fascist behavior of Zionists, a picture we are more likely to find from independent journalists these days on TikTok rather than cable.
Harry Melling plays Geoffrey Morton as a hard-nosed rule follower who has no time for nuance. Melling is captivating. If you grew up in the Harry Potter generation, your first introduction to Melling was his role as the villainous cousin, Dudley. Since then, the world has witnessed an extraordinary range, and Shoshana is the perfect place for him to shine. You cannot deny the similarities in his passion for justice to those who seek to claim their identity by any means necessary.
Douglas Booth, who captured my full attention in Youth Werther, plays officer Tom Wilkin. He oozes charm and easily owns each frame. His leading man potential pours off the screen. Irina Starshenbaum is outstanding in the titular role. Her fearlessness and confidence shine through every word. Shoshana’s pragmatic approach to her love story is an engrossing foil to Tom. Starshenbaum skillfully balances pride and passion. Her chemistry with Booth is undeniable.
Technically, the film is beautiful. Costumes, lighting, production design, and the score deserve accolades. Shoshana is more a historical thriller than an epic love story. Perhaps a title change would make more sense, but Winterbottom has done his homework. It is a harsh reminder about the dangers of pride, our moral flexibility during times of war, and the hope that love can prevail.
