How to Have Sex, the debut feature from British director and cinematographer Molly Manning Walker, tells a tale far more grim than its title suggests. Winner of Un Certain Regard upon its premiere at the Cannes film festival last year, the film puts a Gen Z spin on an all-too-familiar coming-of-age tale characterized by shallow manipulations and lost innocence.
The film kicks off as our central trio of teen girls land on the sunny shores of Malia, Crete for the kind of wild party holiday that loses its luster as the blush of youth fades away. Skye, Em, and Tara (breakout star Mia McKenna-Bruce) are the kind of life-long friends who chatter in shorthand, exchanging clothes and familiar barbs even as we start to notice the subtle cracks in their rapport. Em and Skye tease Tara (in her ever-present “angel” necklace) about her lack of sexual experience, but assure her this trip should be just the cure for her predicament. The girls are at that point in their lives where they still believe that they’ll be in each other’s lives forever, but most of us know better.
Walker’s experience behind the camera serves her well here. Along with cinematographer Nicolas Canniccioni, she gives the tired resort town a fresh, candy-coated look reminiscent of fellow dark teen saga Euphoria, in contrast with the gritty reality of the story taking place within it. The director lends an impressive specificity to the girls’ escapades, their drunken stumbles and sweaty hangovers feeling almost palpable through the screen. All seems to be going to plan for our trio until the girls meet the boys (and girl, this is 2023 after all) next door.
Bonding over the usual extended pre-drink rituals, sparks fly between Tara and the sweet – if unfortunately named – bleach-blond Badger. Jealous, Skye exposes Tara’s lack of experience in front of the boys. Tara is understandably upset, but we all know this little dance. Skye brushes it off as a joke and tries to push Tara towards Badger’s “fit” friend Paddy, but she’s more interested in bonding with Badger over dad jokes in the bathroom. In another life they could have been cute together.
The following night, they hit the clubs, and things seem to be going well for our lovebirds, in spite of Skye’s interference. That is until Badger takes the stage for a lewd drinking contest that has him receiving oral sex from a random stranger in full view of the audience, including a heartbroken Tara. Her hopes dashed, Paddy zeroes in and lures her to the beach, coercing her first into a nighttime swim, and then into having sex. He makes all the motions of getting consent, asking her repeatedly if it’s okay. Though she whispers a barely audible yes, her discomfort seems to be screaming from every pore.
Feeling used and confused after the encounter, Tara wanders off into the night in an attempt to recapture the joy of her holiday. Trying to find her lightness again, she finds another group to party with, and ends up back at their villa. Back at the hotel in the morning, it takes her friends just a bit too long to realize she hasn’t returned, and they make little effort to find out where she’s gone. Glancing knowingly at Paddy, Badger seems to suspect what may have happened. I had to ask myself, has Paddy done this kind of thing before? And if so, do his friends hold some responsibility in letting history repeat itself?
Tara finally makes her way back, walking the almost post-apocalyptic gauntlet of early morning Malia. With a brittle bravado, she tries unsuccessfully to brush off the events of the night before. Calling it an early (final) night, she attempts to sleep it off, but Paddy finds her. Unable to get even a half-hearted consent this time, he waits until she dozes off to get what he wants. Their holiday now over, a changed Tara makes her way to the airport, where she confesses all to Em. It’s not fine, Em tells her, but they’ll get through it together. It’s a hollow promise, but hopefully a comforting one.
How to Have Sex is currently streaming on MUBI.
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