A24’s ‘Tuesday’ is a Cinematic Experience Like No Other

A24 has a reputation for pushing boundaries and taking risks in their films. Their latest release, ‘Tuesday’, is no exception. This movie is a cinematic experience like no other, and it’s an absolute must-see.

A24’s ‘Tuesday’ movie poster

At its core, ‘Tuesday’ is a story about a mother and daughter confronting death. Zora, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, is a troubled mom who has no idea how to cope with her dying daughter Tuesday, played by Lola Petticrew. Zora spends her days away from the house, pretending to be going to work, but mostly sitting in a park, reading, crying, and snacking. She’s hired a nurse, Billie, played by Leah Harvey, to spend the daylight hours with Tuesday, but the guilt and pent-up frustration are taking their toll.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Lola Petticrew in ‘Tuesday’

Here’s where things get a bit wacky. Death is personified not as the typical grim reaper, but as a dingy, weary scarlet macaw with a deep, haunting, gravelly voice and an intense anxiety over the many voices of the soon-to-be departed ringing in his head. It’s his job to show up in those final moments of life, spread a wing over the dying, and give them rest. And so, he shows up at Tuesday’s.

Death personified as a scarlet macaw

She knows why he’s there, but distracts him with a joke about a car full of penguins, to which he surprisingly laughs heartily. Also, suddenly, the voices in his head have subsided, and so he’s able to relax and spend the afternoon with the delightful Tuesday, singing rap songs, taking a sink bath, and sharing stories.

Tuesday and Death sharing a moment

Throughout this experience, he manages to change sizes to fit the situation – yes, that was probably unnecessary to the story, but it was still oddly cool. Eventually, Death agrees to wait until Tuesday’s mom gets home, but when she does finally arrive, things go dramatically sideways.

A dramatic moment in ‘Tuesday’

This is the point at which A24 earns its reputation. I could try to explain what you’re about to witness, but one, you wouldn’t believe me, and two, you really need to experience it for yourself. And that will be a challenge.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus in ‘Tuesday’

A couple of things – Julia Louis-Dreyfus has never done anything like this with so much range and complexity. It’s her best work ever. Lola Petticrew is right there with her. Plus, the conversations about death and potential aftermath are deeply moving and dare I say, upbeat?

Lola Petticrew in ‘Tuesday’

I get the feeling that ‘Tuesday’ is going to have an either love or hate relationship with its audience. I personally ended up much closer to the loving side.

A24’s ‘Tuesday’ movie poster