Vera legend stars in first-look trailer for hard-hitting “broken Britain” movie

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A trailer is now available for Dragonfly, a highly praised British independent film featuring Brenda Blethyn, known for her role in the TV series Vera.

Paul Andrew Williams wrote and directed the film, which tells a moving and realistic story about modern Britain. Brenda Blethyn plays Elsie, an elderly woman who has been overlooked and forgotten.

Andrea Riseborough joins the cast as Colleen, a kind neighbor who unexpectedly helps Elsie by offering her assistance.

The trailer shows the developing connection between the two women, with Colleen helping Elsie around the house.

You know, Colleen really hit the nail on the head when she said it’s just about helping each other out. It’s that simple – a little give and take, a ‘you help me, I’ll help you’ kind of thing. That’s what community is all about, and I couldn’t agree with her more.

Just then, Elsie wonders why Colleen is being so helpful. “I think she’s lonely,” Elsie says, adding, “And so am I.”

Colleen later confirms this to Elsie’s son, John (played by Jason Watkins), saying, “To be honest, she’s been a real support to me.”

The trailer suggests a more serious and emotional story, featuring Colleen saying, “I’ve been hurting all my life.”

You can watch it in full below:

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Dragonfly first screened at the Tribeca Film Festival in June, where both Blethyn and Riseborough won a Performance award. It then premiered in the UK at the Edinburgh Film Festival in August.

Interestingly, the film has also been shown at a few horror festivals. However, director Williams explained to The Hollywood Reporter that while certain parts of the movie are scary, he doesn’t consider it a horror film himself.

I probably leaned into how people expected the characters to act,” he said. “And yes, there’s music, emotional moments, and one really big scare – honestly, I didn’t anticipate it being *that* effective. It’s a classic jump scare, and it really makes people jump out of their seats.

Dragonfly explores the loneliness many people feel today. The story centers on Elsie, an older woman who finds friendship with her younger neighbor, Colleen. As Colleen helps Elsie with everyday tasks, both women find companionship and a renewed sense of purpose, bringing joy into each other’s lives.

Honestly, it really bothers me how Elsie’s son, John, is upset with Colleen for stepping up and doing all the things he avoided. It’s a really powerful story about family and the struggles people are facing, and the tension just builds and builds until something unexpected happens. It feels so real and raw, like a true snapshot of life in Britain right now.

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2025-10-16 20:04