SATISFACTION Film Review – A Haunting Exploration of Power, Silence, and Reclamation

What is Satisfaction About?

Satisfaction Film Review – SXSW 2025 – Set against the stunning yet isolating Greek isles, Satisfaction is one of the standout films from SXSW 2025. The story follows two British musicians, Lola and Philip, as they retreat to a remote island — a trip that quickly reveals the quiet fractures in their relationship. Told through a dual timeline, the film weaves between their tense present and the early days of their romance in London, slowly unraveling the hidden fractures between them. A clear win for director Alex Burunova, Satisfaction also serves as a breakout moment for Emma Laird, who delivers a performance that deserves your attention.

The Making of Satisfaction

SXSW 2025 is packed with exciting debuts, but few films have been crafted with as much care as Satisfaction. Originally developed as a stage play, Alex Burunova spent eight years refining the story, writing over 110 drafts and meticulously painting keyframes in watercolour to establish the film’s look. It’s a project that evolved slowly — but deliberately — before making its way to the screen.

The cast here may not yet be mainstream, but Satisfaction is a step toward changing that. Emma Laird is particularly phenomenal as Lola. She landed the role without an audition after producer Kyle Stroud insisted Burunova watch her dailies from The Brutalist. She did, and the rest is history.

To create an authentic past between their characters, Laird and Fionn Whitehead (Philip) lived together in an Airbnb, cooking and building shared experiences that made their on-screen relationship feel “lived-in”. Laird also trained in piano, working with East London composers and a dedicated music coach to fully inhabit Lola’s world. Despite the extent of this preparation, when on set, Burunova actually encouraged improvisation to ensure that each moment felt real rather than rehearsed.

Ultimately, this film is more than just a labour of love for director Alex Burunova. It is something she needed to do to address her own pain, serving as a lengthy reclamation almost parallel to Lola. And the film world is better now because of it.

From its earliest scenes, Satisfaction subverts traditional gendered power dynamics, flipping the conventional depictions of male sexual dominance. This sets the stage for the film’s deeper exploration of power—both in relationships and within the self. Lola’s journey is essentially one of recognizing and dismantling the quiet but persistent hold Philip has over her, one reinforced by neglect, dismissal, and the weight of their history.

The Cinemamatography and Music of Satisfaction: Beautifully Discordant

Burunova and cinematographer Mate Herbai craft a striking visual language that reinforces Lola’s psychological state. The Greek island’s stark architecture – defined by sharp lines and cool blues – mirrors the rigid constraints Lola feels within herself and her relationship. The film’s opening image of Lola submerged underwater, encased and breathless, becomes a powerful motif, which Herbai and Burunova return to later.

This visual storytelling extends to framing choices: Lola is frequently placed near the bottom of the frame or shot from high angles, a visual cue to her vulnerability. Conversely, Philip is often framed from below, reinforcing his subtle dominance and almost tacit control. When Elena (Zar Amir) enters Lola’s world, the contrast is striking – she is introduced with a low angle, exuding control and self-possession, towering over Lola. These intentional shifts in framing perfectly reinforce the power dynamics at play.

Given that both lead characters are musicians, it is no surprise that the film’s score is integral to its storytelling. Midori Hirano’s compositions are haunting, often discordant, mirroring Lola’s fractured psyche. This connection between music and character is deepened when we realize that it is actually Hirano’s hands we see during tighter piano sequences. At times, the score incorporates chants, reinforcing an almost ritualistic sense of unraveling. The Greek sequences, notably, are devoid of a traditional score, relying instead on the organic sounds of the island, and we even see Lola recording these sounds through an open window.

Satisfaction is Unflinching in Its Exploration of Pain

The film’s most difficult scene is a deliberate and unflinching depiction – refusing to offer an easy escape. Rather than cutting away, Burunova forces the audience to remain present, aligning us with Lola’s experience in a way that is deeply unsettling. This choice underscores the film’s commitment to exploring trauma in its rawest form, rather than as a mere plot device, or any other dramatic beat. 

In the present day, the film shifts toward the surreal, visually externalizing Lola’s dissociation. At one point, she appears translucent through a balcony window – there, but not fully present. These moments, infused with dreamlike imagery, highlight her fractured state of mind, blurring the lines between reality and psychological space.

Emma Laird’s Career-Best Performance

The heart of Satisfaction lies in Emma Laird’s stunningly restrained yet deeply emotional performance. Laird garnered some attention in The Brutalist, but this is her coming-out party. She fully embodies Lola, delivering a performance that is as internal as it is expressive. Some of her most powerful moments come in silence – small gestures, fleeting glances that convey volumes. It is through her performance that the film’s emotional weight connects with the audience. Her ability to simultaneously distance herself from the audience while also creating a bridge of empathy is truly remarkable.

Final Thoughts on Satisfaction

Satisfaction is a bold, beautifully crafted film that refuses to shy away from discomfort. Through its direction, and a breakout performance by Emma Laird, it tells a story of power, silence, and the long road to self-reclamation. Burunova’s film does not offer simple catharsis, but instead forces its audience to sit with the discomfort  – an act that, in itself, is an invitation to confront our own silences. – Satisfaction Film Review – SXSW 2025