Films like Pretty Persuasion.

Pretty Persuasion (2005) reads as Sombre, kinetic, measured comedy / satire, inventive in texture. Nihilistic, intimate, cold. Every film below is ranked by distance across the same twelve hand-scored axes — with what it keeps, and where it walks away. Not a genre dump.

Harpoon (2019) poster
1. Harpoon2019

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the pitch-dark outlook — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Under the Tree (2017) poster
2. Under the Tree2017

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the pitch-dark outlook — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Your Friends & Neighbors (1998) poster
3. Your Friends & Neighbors1998

Keeps the pitch-dark outlook and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Mini's First Time (2006) poster
4. Mini's First Time2006

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the pitch-dark outlook — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Party (2017) poster
5. The Party2017

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the pitch-dark outlook — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Ice Harvest (2005) poster
6. The Ice Harvest2005

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the pitch-dark outlook; trades toward a patient, unhurried pace.

Igby Goes Down (2002) poster
7. Igby Goes Down2002

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the heightened unreality — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Neon Flesh (2010) poster
8. Neon Flesh2010

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the pitch-dark outlook; trades toward a relentless forward drive.

Observe and Report (2009) poster
9. Observe and Report2009

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the pitch-dark outlook — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Day of the Wacko (2002) poster
10. Day of the Wacko2002

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the pitch-dark outlook — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Last Supper (1995) poster
11. The Last Supper1995

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the pitch-dark outlook — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Kid Detective (2020) poster
12. The Kid Detective2020

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the pitch-dark outlook — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

These are Pretty Persuasion’s neighbours — where are yours?

Rate five posters and the same twelve axes read you — then tonight’s pick comes from your own centre of taste.

Find my film for tonight — 60 sec →