Hot Milk

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1:47

Hot Milk

R

2025

1h 33m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

38%

Tomatometer

71 Reviews

47%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Rose (Fiona Shaw) and her daughter Sofia (Emma Mackey) travel to the Spanish seaside town of Almería to consult with the shamanic Dr. Gómez, a physician who could possibly hold the cure to Rose's mystery illness, which has left her bound to a wheelchair. But in the sultry atmosphere of this sun-bleached town Sofia, who has been trapped by her mother’s illness all her life, finally starts to shed her inhibitions, enticed by the persuasive charms of enigmatic traveler Ingrid (Vicky Krieps). Sofia's increased freedom becomes too much for her controlling mother, and as the hot sun beats down, their relationship simmers with pent-up resentments and bitterness, threatening to tear the fragile threads that hold them together, and leading them to a dramatic conclusion.

Critics Consensus

Lacking narrative momentum and clarity overall, this film's clever destination is upended by a turbulent journey that will leave audiences leaden like a glass of Hot Milk.

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Rachel Pronger

Sight & Sound

Nov 5

Though Shaw gets all the best lines (and savours them), Hot Milk feels suspended in a constant state of anticipation, never quite reaching the release we – and the wrung out characters – crave.

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Danny Leigh

Financial Times

Jul 14

4/5

Built around two daredevil performances from Fiona Shaw and Emma Mackey, it is jagged and dreamlike at once, the story of a mother and daughter locked in codependence.

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Mark Kermode

Kermode and Mayo's Take (YouTube)

Jul 12

I was really gripped by it and I loved the performances, particularly Fiona Shaw.

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Karina Adelgaard

Womentainment

Apr 9

4/5

...both heartbreaking and healing. Emma Mackey is amazing in the lead role, and I found myself rooting for her in ways I rarely experience. You just want to help her, while also wanting her to help herself. It’s a...

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Ellen E Jones

Observer (UK)

Oct 7

This is storytelling that bares its teeth, but it’s not the most comfortable place to spend time.

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Juan Pablo Russo

EscribiendoCine

Sep 5

5/10

Hot Milk, far from articulating an intimate portrait of motherhood and desire, is marked by the coldness of its approach. [Full review in Spanish]

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Norm V

Jun 29

Bored me to death due to flat storyline and I even don’t know what truly happened at the end.

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Ghederick Eshmont

Jun 27

Lots of terrible misfires & the film overstays its short runtime, but there are select moments of intrigue to chew on

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Elizabeth C.

@RT32841030 Apr 26

Slow, story felt disjointed at times

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L J

@Cracky Mar 31

Weird, emotional, dreamy, scenic.

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Tom R

@Sage504 Nov 19

stumbled on this by absolute accident. I loved it as it reminded me of my later mother but it is slow at times , so i get the review scores. That said, i found it immensely worthwhile. Fiona and Emma are great!

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Luis Ivan M

@RT79996638 Nov 1

A profound drama about trauma and emotional openness. The film is generally well-crafted, featuring solid performances and competent direction; though a few scenes suffer from slightly awkward editing. The writing mostly works, but at times the dialogue feels a bit forced, aiming for depth but coming off somewhat disjointed. The pacing is effective overall, even if it occasionally jumps between scenes without clear connective tissue. Despite these minor flaws, the story remains engaging, particularly the thread concerning the mother’s condition. The ending is powerful, though its lack of conclusiveness may not satisfy everyone. The camerawork, while not ostentatious, serves the story well, offering beautifully lit imagery that reinforces its emotional tone. Overall, it’s a well-executed film with a clear vision and direction, and while it kept me mostly invested, it’s not one I can fully recommend as some audiences may find it too subdued or slow-paced.

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Rebecca Lenkiewicz

Director

Emma Mackey

Sofia

Fiona Shaw

Rose

Vincent Perez

Gomez

Vicky Krieps

Ingrid

Patsy Ferran

Nurse Julieta

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%

100%

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Hot Milk: Trailer 1

1:47

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Synopsis

Rose (Fiona Shaw) and her daughter Sofia (Emma Mackey) travel to the Spanish seaside town of Almería to consult with the shamanic Dr. Gómez, a physician who could possibly hold the cure to Rose's mystery illness, which has left her bound to a wheelchair. But in the sultry atmosphere of this sun-bleached town Sofia, who has been trapped by her mother’s illness all her life, finally starts to shed her inhibitions, enticed by the persuasive charms of enigmatic traveler Ingrid (Vicky Krieps). Sofia's increased freedom becomes too much for her controlling mother, and as the hot sun beats down, their relationship simmers with pent-up resentments and bitterness, threatening to tear the fragile threads that hold them together, and leading them to a dramatic conclusion.

Director: Rebecca Lenkiewicz
Producer: Christine Langan, Kate Glover, Giorgos Karnavas
Screenwriter: Rebecca Lenkiewicz
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: HanWay Films, Film4
Rating: R
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 27, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 29, 2025
Box Office (Gross USA): $70.3K
Runtime: 1h 33m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)