The Wasp (2024)
Starring Natalie Dormer and Naomi Harris, prepare for twists, reveals, and a shocking ending that reminds you the writing needs to match the performances for any surprises to work.
[Unless Said Otherwise] Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Plot Summary
Heather is having a hard time. Her husband, Simon, is checked out. She is pushing 40 and wants to get pregnant, but her tries have been to no avail, and she has other issues at play. But, she figures an old friend, Carla, can solve her problems, and while estranged, she is willing to pay if she has to. Which, with Carla having multiple kids and a hard life, even if there are major strings attached to the money Heather is offering, Carla may take it.
Cast and Characters
| Character’s Name | Actor’s Name |
| Adult Heather | Naomie Harris |
| Young Heather | Leah Mondesir-Simmonds |
| Adult Carla | Natalie Dormer |
| Young Carla | Olivia Juno Cleverley |
| Simon | Dominic Allburn |
Heather
Heather comes from a two-parent household, and she has done alright outside of a tough few years in middle school. At least, that is what the world likely sees since she appears to be a housewife to an attractive and ambitious partner, and she can feign a smile when needed.
- Naomie Harris is also known for their role in “The Man Who Fell To Earth.”
Carla
With five children at this point, a job as a cashier, and a partner who gambles, Carla’s adulthood isn’t much better than her childhood. One or two things might be removed that keep her life from being utter rubbish, but it could always be better.
- Natalie Dormer is also known for their role in “Picnic at Hanging Rock.”
Simon
It isn’t 100% clear what Simon does for a living, but based on how he lives and the people he courts, he is doing something right. But, it does appear that he has grown bored with his wife, and with him often going out at night, there is a need to question if it is just another business meeting or him seeking pleasure.
Other Noteworthy Information
- Meaning Behind The Film’s Title: Heather and Simon have a wasp issue in their house, a whole nest, to be specific. Simon is also a collector of insects, including a wasp that eats tarantulas. Heather finds herself killing the stray wasps in the house and investigating the source, which becomes one of the final signs she needs that Simon may not care about her.
Review
Our Rating: Positive (Worth Seeing) – Recommended
Good If You Like
- Unhinged people
- The use of flashbacks with child actors who are relied on to give notable performances
Similar To This
- A Simple Favor: I want you to imagine the mystery aspect of “Gone Girl” mixed with the comedy of “Bad Moms.” An imperfect union of the two would equal A Simple Favor.
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Highlights
Real Deal Twists That May Leave You Shook
A lot of films include twists and reveals that you can tell someone thought were amazing and would leave the audience shook. Generally speaking, we find they don’t, and they seem like ways to shake up an audience who likely were getting bored because so much was put into the shocking part; the build was dull. “The Wasp” is different.
Yes, there is a notable amount of build as Heather takes us down memory lane to help us understand why she and Carla became estranged. But, even in her recollection, there are twists and turns that we feel the need to carefully talk about because we genuinely want people to see this and not get spoiled. For Naomie Harris, how she handles Heather as a character, paired with a young actress who can also draw you in, will get a reaction out of you.
Mind you, not a love-to-hate type of reaction or even being an unquestionable victim. There are layers and complications here, and she isn’t alone. Natalie Dormer, as Carla, is also a character whose past is revealed, and you are forced to put her into the gray, even as she and Heather recount all the things she did, or that happened to her.
Thus, making it so, as “The Wasp” continually has things unravel, you may genuinely feel like you don’t know how this could end, and I would say the ending we got I surely didn’t expect.
Background Information
| Film Length | 1 Hour 36 Minutes |
| Date Released | June 8, 2024 |
| Distributor | Film Festival – Tribeca Festival |
| Director(s) | Guillem Morales |
| Writer(s) | Morgan Lloyd Malcolm |
| Based On Work By | N/A |
| Genre(s) | Drama, Thriller |
| Content Rating | Not Rated |
| Content Information | |
| Dialog | Cursing |
| Violence | Family Violence, Violence Against Animals, Blood, Torture, Notable Fight Scene |
| Sexual Content | Sexual Situations (Implied), Depiction of Abuse |
| Miscellaneous | Drinking |
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