Bailey, a 12-year-old girl, lives with her brother and single father Bug in a northern Kent squat, craving attention and adventure. Her life changes dramatically after meeting the mysterious Bird. Directed by Andrea Arnold, Bird explores the beauty and struggles of everyday life, showcasing powerful performances from Barry Keoghan as Bug and Nykiya Adams as Bailey. This film, which won the Citizenship Award at Cannes, highlights complex emotions and relationships against a backdrop of urban reality.
Embracing the Beauty of Everyday Life
At just 12 years old, Bailey (Nykiya Adams) navigates life alongside her brother Hunter (Jason Buda) and their father Bug (Barry Keoghan), who is raising them single-handedly in a squat in northern Kent. With limited time to invest in their upbringing, Bug’s distractions leave Bailey, on the brink of adolescence, yearning for attention and adventure in other places. Her fateful encounter with the enigmatic Bird (Franz Rogowski) will profoundly alter the course of her life.
Now playing in theaters, Bird marks the latest film from director Andrea Arnold, acclaimed for her previous works, including American Honey and Cow, as well as her contributions to the award-winning series Big Little Lies. This film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival where it received the Citizenship Award, immerses viewers in a social and urban reality reflective of European life, highlighting both the struggles of daily existence and moments of exquisite beauty. The film is beautifully realized through the performances of its leading actors, Barry Keoghan and Nykiya Adams.
A Dynamic Pair that Resonates
Barry Keoghan, an Irish talent on the rise since his standout roles in Dunkirk and The Killing of a Sacred Deer, has become a fixture in modern cinema, known for portraying complex and unconventional characters in films like The Green Knight, The Batman, and The Banshees of Inisherin, all of which resonate with the themes found in Bird.
In his role as Bug, a flawed, overwhelmed, and immature father, Barry’s character bears the weight of his chaotic life while discovering redemption through his profound love for his children. With a personal background that echoes the struggles of his character—having grown up in 90s Dublin with a loving but troubled mother and later entering the foster care system with his brother—Barry brings an authentic energy to the role. He has expressed a desire to inspire younger generations by sharing his journey: “I talk about it so that younger people know that no matter where you come from, you can always succeed in what you undertake,” he shared with the BBC last November.
While Barry Keoghan’s life experiences lend a raw authenticity to his performance, the success of Bird also relies on the talent of his co-star. Enter Nykiya Adams, a remarkable find for director Andrea Arnold!
Nykiya Adams stumbled into the casting call while seeking a way to skip class, and her genuine, almost effortless performance quickly captivated the casting team. Her portrayal of Bailey, a spirited yet lovable teenager, marks a striking debut on screen, promising a bright future in her acting career.
With powerful performances by Barry Keoghan and Nykiya Adams (and the talented Franz Rogowski!), the poetic and evocative Bird is currently captivating audiences in theaters.