Atlantics

There is a lot going on in this supernatural love story about a woman (Mame Bineta Sane) whose fate is changed when the spirit of her lover begins to interfere with those around her, yet the story never feels too crowded. Moving from scenes of forbidden love to class oppression to ghostly mystery, debut director Mati Diop strikes an impressive balance between delivering an important message and telling a great story, ensuring the plot never feels jumbled. Music and ominous visuals illustrate the characters' experiences, while Sane draws the viewer in with a stirring central performance. Effortlessly blending styles and themes, Atlantics is a drama with something new to offer and, while its narrative path isn't always clear, that's exactly what makes it so special.