What: Catherine Called Birdy
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Premiere date: Oct. 7, 2022
A critics’ favorite at the Toronto International Film Festival, Lena Dunham’s Catherine Called Birdy is a comedic coming-of-age film set in medieval England, or, in other words, a Monty Python–adjacent film remixed with teenagers.
Adapted from Karen Cushman’s novel of the same name, Catherine Called Birdy follows a young heroine, Catherine, aka, Birdy (Bella Ramsey), as she tries to avert a life doomed to courtship, suitors, and ladylike liabilities, much to her family’s dismay. If you’re a fan of medieval period pieces or passionately perseverant heroines, Catherine Called Birdy is right up your alley and promises to be a fun watch with a stellar cast to match.
Here’s everything you need to know about the film and all of its medieval pandemonium.
How can I watch Catherine Called Birdy?
Following a limited theatrical release, Catherine Called Birdy is streaming on Amazon Prime Video Oct. 7.
What’s Catherine Called Birdy about?
It’s 1290 England, and Birdy is a mischievous but steadfast 14-year-old ready to build her dream life that doesn’t include marriage, not one bit. Her father, Lord Rollo (Fleabag’s Andrew Scott), apparently didn’t get the memo and begins rallying up a whole bunch of suitors for her to marry.
How do you avoid marriage so you can keep sword-fighting with your besties? You stir up a whole lot of chaos. And Birdy is no stranger to inciting mandatory mayhem to get what she wants.
What are people saying about the movie so far?
Mashable’s Deputy Entertainment Editor, Kristy Puchko, described the film as “A buoyantly entertaining romp through teendom in the Middle Ages,” where “Dunham weaves in a modern sensibility with its messaging, character arcs, and a dash of queer representation in a supporting character.”
Puchko writes that Catherine Called Birdy “Comes alive with crackling dialogue and a charismatic cast who bring light into this dark age. Between the mischievous charm of Bella Ramsey and the Hollywood-minded alterations Lena Dunham has made… Catherine Called Birdy is a coming-of-age comedy that’s sure to please.”
To stream Catherine Called Birdy, Prime Video offers a 30-day free trial and an $8.99 monthly subscription plan. Hit that button below to start streaming.
