Showcasing highly political themes in a film while still keeping it entertaining is a difficult feat, but The Justice of Bunny King manages to do just that. Equipped with a grounded and heart-wrenching lead performance from The Babadook star Essie Davis, The Justice of Bunny King shows the hardships of being in the system in New Zealand while telling a relatable and high-stakes story. This film packs an emotional punch and transcends multiple genres, creating a unique viewing experience. While pacing issues arise at times, The Justice of Bunny King is a solid film that will make the audience feel many emotions at once.
Directed by Gaysorn Thavat from a script by Sophie Henderson, The Justice of Bunny King stars Davis as the title character, a down-and-out single mother who turns to washing cars on the street to try and make a buck. Bunny stays with her sister and her family while trying to find an apartment that her two kids, who are currently in foster care, can live in with her. After Bunny sees some disturbing behavior being inflicted on her teenage niece Tonyah (Thomasin McKenzie), Bunny's already unstable life is further thrown into chaos. Soon, Bunny and Tonyah join forces and embark on a journey where they will both stand up for themselves in ways they never have before.
The Justice of Bunny King carries a unique and dynamic tone throughout, much like life itself. From just a simple plot description, it seems as though this film will be a quirky comedy with dramatic elements. However, it is actually a heavy character study that demonstrates the universal issue of how the government causes people to become trapped in predicaments and then kicks them while they are down. The film definitely plays with genre, feeling humorous and heartfelt one minute, then hopeless and suspenseful the next. By the end, the movie turns into a sort-of Dog Day Afternoon-like experience that no one would have expected when watching the first few minutes. The Justice of Bunny King is a realistic film, often showing the humanity in situations that society is taught to turn a blind eye to.
The performances in The Justice of Bunny King really make the film. Davis seems to truly understand who Bunny is, depicting her as a joyful soul who is also deeply flawed. Davis manages to show the audience the many sides of Bunny in her dynamic performance. At times, Bunny is the most rational character, and at other times, she goes so over the top that her next move is highly unpredictable. Davis conveys the hurt that Bunny feels from a situation she has no control over, but also her lovable spirit, creating an extremely memorable character through an award-worthy performance. McKenzie, who is currently experiencing a moment right now with recent turns in films like Jojo Rabbit and Last Night in Soho, also delivers a nuanced and layered performance here. The chemistry between the two lead actors is palpable, keeping the excitement high throughout the film.
That said, The Justice of Bunny King does meander a bit in its first half, and the plot takes a while to come to fruition. The early pacing issues of the film could have been solved if the main conflict reared its head just a bit earlier, but the movie still manages to make its point, even if it's a bit too long. Overall, The Justice of Bunny King is a meaningful and dynamic film that will make the audience cry, keep them on the edge of their seat, and then ease the viewing experience by making them belly laugh.
The Justice of Bunny King hits theaters in limited release on Sept. 23 and will be available on demand on Sept. 30.