Walter Bird is a man at the end of his tether, alone in a decaying home and overwhelmed by trauma. A moment of hesitation leads him to call a suicide helpline, and on the other end of the line is Grace, a calm, experienced volunteer.
Amazing Grace is the debut feature from Ruth Carney, and it opens in selected UK cinemas this Friday. Please note that it deals directly with suicide, abuse and addiction.
Hannah Walters holds the film together with nothing but her voice and her stillness.
Movie at a Glance
- UK release: In selected cinemas from Friday 6 November 2026 (Screenbound Pictures)
- Director: Ruth Carney
- Starring: Hannah Walters, Daniel P. Lewis, James Nelson-Joyce and Chanel Cresswell
- Runtime: 85 minutes
- Genre: Psychological drama
Viewer Match
- Best for: Viewers who value raw, performance-driven British drama.
- Maybe skip if: You are not in a place for stories about suicide and abuse.
- Mood and pace: Intense, intimate and claustrophobic.
- Cinema or streaming? Either. It is an intimate film that will work at home.
- Spoiler level: Spoiler-free.
A Voice on the Line
As Walter spirals through fragmented memories, hallucinations and the return of two toxic figures from his past, his conversations with Grace slowly peel back his guarded exterior. The structure is simple, and Carney keeps it tight.
At 85 minutes, it never outstays its welcome.
Two Strong Performances
Hannah Walters is blazing as Grace, steady and compassionate without ever becoming saintly. Daniel P. Lewis gives Walter a frightening, fragile intensity.
The film lives or dies on their connection, and it lives.
Hard Going
This is not an easy watch. The flashbacks to abuse and neglect are confronting, and the hallucinatory sequences are not always as effective as the quieter scenes.
But it is sincere, and it treats its subject with care.
Support and More
If the film raises difficult feelings, Samaritans are available free on 116 123 in the UK and Ireland. For more of this week’s films, see this week’s Weekly Cinema Pack, and for tonight, see What to Watch Tonight.
Spoiler-Free Verdict
Amazing Grace is a raw, intimate debut with two remarkable performances. It is hard going, but it is honest and humane.
- Performances: 8.5/10
- Direction: 7/10
- Screenplay: 7/10
- Score: 6.5/10
- Cinematography: 6.5/10
- Entertainment Value: 6.5/10
- Overall score: 7/10
Star rating: 3.5/5
Verdict badge: One for Fans
One-line verdict: A tough, compassionate drama with a blazing Hannah Walters.
Watch the Official Trailer
Watch the official UK trailer from Screenbound Pictures.
Which British debut has impressed you most this year? Tell us.