The Assistant (2019)

Director: Kitty Green
Stars: Julia Garner, Matthew Macfadyen
Runtime: 87 minutes

Synopsis: A searing look at a day in the life of an assistant to a powerful executive. As Jane follows her daily routine, she grows increasingly aware of the insidious abuse that threatens every aspect of her position.

Verdict: Jane wakes up. Another long day awaits her. Her job as the assistant of a well-known producer is rendered miserable due to its routine-like duties and psychological abuse inflicted on her by her boss, but she's confident that it's all a necessary step to achieve her dream of becoming a producer herself.

Carried by a phenomenal performance by Julia Garner (who you might recognize from Netflix's "Ozark"), Kitty Green's directorial debut doesn't rely on overdramatic detours to provide the audience with a look at the behind the scenes of the business side of Hollywood, but rather lets that dreary and formal world speak for itself. Dominated by men in suits who take advantage of their positions of power, it successfully and convincingly paints an ugly picture of that world viewed through the eyes of a young, hard-working woman trying to come to terms with the truthful way in which it operates.

The hyperrealistic narrative may turn off a lot of viewers, but I found it to be necessary in that case. Thanks to Garner's powerhouse performance and Green's meticulous direction, I was never bored and deeply cared about the protagonist's hardships. I'm not sure I'd recommend it to everyone, but feel free to seek it out if the premise seems interesting to you.

FINAL GRADE: 8/10