Overview
- The film premiered as the opening title of Directors' Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival, marking Kantemir Balagov's first English-language feature.
- Reviewers describe a Newark-set Circassian family drama that follows a father, his sister, and his teen son through themes of belonging and masculinity.
- Critics widely praise the craft, singling out Jomo Fray's kinetic cinematography and Evgueni and Sacha Galperine's unnerving score.
- Many call the screenplay uneven, noting thin subplots and a late burst of violence that shifts the tone without fully paying off.
- Coverage highlights quirky details such as the titular insect jam and a stolen pelican, and several outlets report the film is seeking U.S. distribution.