Film Club review: Aimee Lou Wood’s dramedy has real potential – but it’s yet to be unlocked

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A star rating of 3 out of 5.

As a reviewer, it’s always best to begin watching each series with an open mind, but sometimes you really want to enjoy a show. It’s natural to hope a particular series will be great.

For me, a standout show was Film Club, the new comedy-drama series on BBC Three. It was co-written by and features Aimee Lou Wood in a starring role.

Firstly, Wood has already established herself as a charming and captivating performer on screen, so experiencing her unique voice as a screenwriter was a really interesting idea.

Also, it’s always exciting when new British comedy series debut, especially considering how many original, hilarious, and energetic comedies are currently being made (even though some people claim otherwise).

The show also has a delightful premise, a unique and playful visual style, and a strong performance from Nabhaan Rizwan – I could list many more positives, but the key takeaway is that it had a lot going for it.

So, it’s a bit of an odd sensation finishing all six episodes of Film Club and feeling like it hasn’t quite lived up to expectations, or satisfied what I was hoping for. That’s not to say it wasn’t pleasant to watch, or that it won’t reach its full potential later on – it just means there are a few issues to work through at the moment.

Film Club features Wood as Evie, a young woman who has been housebound for half a year following a mental health challenge, referred to as a ‘wobble’.

Each Friday, she and her friends – including her best friend, Noa (Rizwan) – get together in her mum’s garage as a fun weekly tradition to enjoy films. They pick a different film each week and decorate the garage to match its theme. Everyone has to dress up in costumes, and they aren’t allowed to use their phones. They also have a quiz based on the movie. It’s a really lovely time. However, there’s just one problem.

Okay, so it’s *so* obvious to me that Evie and Noa are totally in love, even though they’ve never actually said anything to each other! It’s just… frustrating! And to make things even more complicated, Evie already has a boyfriend, Josh. But the worst part? Noa is moving to Bristol for this amazing job opportunity, which means our beloved film club is, unfortunately, not going to continue. It’s a lot to take in, honestly, and I’m really bummed about everything. Film club was the best!

Evie is overwhelmed by everything happening, and in the following weeks, she embarks on a path of self-exploration. She takes time to consider her feelings for Noa and to better understand who she is.

To start, many aspects of this arrangement are truly excellent. The concept of the film club itself is wonderfully charming-almost to the point of being unbelievable.

It’s important to understand that this isn’t a group for serious, devoted film buffs. The movies they screen weekly are extremely well-known classics – films almost everyone has heard of, and most people have already seen, like Alien and The Wizard of Oz.

I just love how this all feels so much more genuine and friendly, like everyone’s really getting together as friends first. The characters are clearly passionate about film – though not all of them, perhaps – but what *really* connects them is their friendship. It feels like watching film is just a really enjoyable way for them to hang out and express that bond. It gives the whole thing a far more wholesome vibe, and the sense that this really is an excuse for socialising first and foremost. It’s just lovely.

It’s noteworthy that this idea originated during the Covid pandemic, when in-person gatherings weren’t possible, but it still feels incredibly relevant now.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how even *without* lockdowns or anything, we’ve all become so much more disconnected and spend so much time online. That’s why I found this series so refreshing! It’s all about the simple joy of being *with* people – characters just hanging out, being a little goofy, and not worrying about what others think. It’s not just sweet and heartwarming, but honestly, it feels really important right now. It’s a gentle reminder of what we’re missing, and a little nudge to prioritize real connection.

The characters in this show are truly delightful, and Wood, along with her co-creator Ralph Davis, has put together a fantastic cast to portray them.

I have to say, Wood is just amazing as Evie! Her positivity and passion are totally contagious, and the way she acts – it’s so unique and well-defined, you really believe in her. Rizwan’s Noa is a bit more reserved and, like everyone keeps pointing out, really formal. But he has this hilarious tendency to suddenly launch into these incredibly dramatic accents and full-on performances – it’s fantastic!

The two hosts are both excellent, and their connection feels genuine – like a true and lasting friendship. They have superb chemistry together, making them a fantastic pairing to lead the show.

The film also features strong performances from the supporting cast, notably Liv Hill as Evie’s sister, Izzie. The dynamic between the sisters feels authentic and is portrayed with careful attention to detail. The relationship is particularly well-developed and believable.

I have to say, two actors really stood out for me. First, Suranne Jones as Evie’s mum, Suz! She’s such a genuinely different and brilliant character – a real breath of fresh air, and definitely not your typical ‘on-screen mum’. And then there’s Adam Long as Josh. He might not be the perfect match for Evie, but I love his quirky way of speaking and he just has this really endearing, excitable energy.

The setup is excellent, the characters are charming, and their motivations are genuinely kind. So, what’s the problem? It lies in the specifics of the story and how it’s presented. Regarding the presentation, it’s important to remember that reviewing comedy is difficult – humor is very personal, and everyone will find different things amusing.

I didn’t really enjoy Film Club, to be honest. While it has some realistic and relatable humor, and a few moments that are mildly amusing, it just didn’t make me laugh out loud. It’s not that it’s bad, but it lacked the really strong comedic moments I was hoping for. There are funny character interactions and some scenes that get a small chuckle, but overall, it didn’t deliver the deep laughs I was expecting.

One reason for this is that, while it’s advertised as a comedy-drama, the term dramedy might actually be more fitting. This is because the show focuses more on the dramatic elements first and foremost.

That leads me nicely to the story itself, and especially the main romantic connection between Evie and Noa – they seem perfectly suited for each other.

That idea-people falling for someone unexpected-has been a staple of romantic comedies for a long time, both in movies and on television, but in this case, it feels a little over the top. There doesn’t seem to be much of a spark between Evie and Josh, while she and Noa instantly click, acting like they’ve been together forever. Even Josh moving away doesn’t seem like a big enough obstacle to prevent them from trying a relationship.

It’s not even a question of either person being afraid of damaging the friendship if the other didn’t reciprocate feelings – their connection is so obvious that they both seem to realize how the other feels.

Whenever the characters face an obstacle, it comes across as an artificial and predictable tactic to prolong the tension of whether or not they’ll get together. It feels less organic and more like a plot device.

However, if you’re not enjoying the main love story, there are still many other side plots to explore. Actually, there are perhaps a few too many, and this fragmented approach means some of the most important ones don’t feel fully fleshed out.

For example, Evie’s storyline about her mental health is presented very generally, and it doesn’t ever get developed with any real depth or significance.

While the vagueness might make the story relatable to many, and offer some comfort, it also makes it a little difficult to fully experience Evie’s emotional release when she begins to heal. This is because we weren’t ever completely clear on what her initial struggles were to begin with.

This observation might be a deliberate comment on how we connect with each other during difficult times, and it’s important to remember that everyone’s perspective and experience with this will be unique.

From a storytelling perspective, it can feel a little distant, like the show isn’t fully letting us in. But, more importantly, if this series helps people who are going through difficult times feel understood and validated, then that’s fantastic – it’s a genuinely positive outcome.

The handling of this storyline feels inconsistent with other choices made throughout the project. For example, the idea of a film club suggests the story could be structured like an episodic series. Each episode could focus on a different film, using its themes to drive the plot and connecting them visually and stylistically.

Sometimes, it seems like the show is heading in this direction, and those instances are actually some of the most compelling. For example, a surreal scene with a spacesuit-clearly influenced by Alien-is truly outstanding.

I found that, like with a few other things in this show, it doesn’t really settle on a consistent, ongoing storyline – or any real structure, honestly. It definitely keeps you guessing, which isn’t always bad, but sometimes you just want a solid framework for each episode. That framework would really help tie everything together and give the show a more cohesive feel. It needs something to act as the glue holding it all together, and it’s missing that right now. Hopefully this will be addressed in future seasons.

Instead, the show feels fragmented, like several different stories are happening at once. Many characters and storylines don’t get enough attention – especially Adolescence breakout star Owen Cooper, who isn’t given much to do as the local character Callum.

Look, I don’t want to dismiss Film Club at all. If you’re after something really easygoing to watch in the evening – you know, a comfy watch – and you’re in the mood for something fairly light with characters you actually *like* and some seriously superb acting, then this might be just what you need. It really could fit the bill.

I’m not ruling out the possibility that a second season could address these minor issues. There’s a lot of promise in this show, and I’d be eager to see a follow-up. Ideally, a second season would refine the details and develop a more focused theme, narrative, and overall structure.

Right now, Film Club hasn’t *quite* become the absolute favorite I’d hoped for – though it’s still really lovely to enjoy a show that genuinely celebrates both friendship and the magic of movies.

Film Club begins on Tuesday 7th October at 10pm on BBC Three and iPlayer.

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2025-10-03 02:37