Eva Victor’s A24 Comedy-Drama Sorry, Baby Is a Raw and Remarkable Story of Healing and Friendship

A24’s latest gem Sorry, Baby has officially landed on HBO Max, and it’s quickly becoming one of those rare indie hits everyone’s talking about. The film marks the directorial debut of Eva Victor, who also wrote the screenplay and stars as the lead. Released in 2025, this American black comedy-drama runs for about 104 minutes and was produced by Tango Entertainment, High Frequency Entertainment, Big Beach, and Pastel (Barry Jenkins’ production company).

The story takes place in a rural New England college town, where Victor plays Agnes, a grad student turned English literature professor. Her life is quietly unraveling in the aftermath of a traumatic event, referred to only as “the bad thing.” The incident is never shown on-screen, but its emotional weight is felt throughout. The film unfolds in nonlinear chapters that move across several years, piecing together Agnes’s fractured world as she tries to rebuild it.

Things take a turn when Lydie, played by Naomi Ackie, reenters Agnes’s life after years apart. Their reunion brings bursts of humor, nostalgia, and deep affection—but also unearths buried pain. Through these moments, Sorry, Baby explores trauma, recovery, and the complicated, enduring bond between friends. It’s not about what happened, but about what comes after—the long, uneven process of healing and finding connection again.

At its core, the movie is both devastating and tender. It captures the absurd mix of emotions that come with recovery—awkward jokes, quiet rage, tearful laughter—and never once feels forced. Critics have compared Victor’s tone to Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Greta Gerwig, though her voice is distinctly her own. The film balances its pitch-black humor with moments of quiet grace, making even the most painful scenes feel alive and deeply human.

Sorry, Baby premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, where it was part of the U.S. Dramatic Competition. It became one of the festival’s most talked-about titles, leading A24 to acquire distribution rights for around $8 million. Since its theatrical release, the film has earned about $3 million at the box office and has been met with rave reviews from both critics and audiences. On Rotten Tomatoes, it currently holds an impressive 97% critics’ score, while viewers have given it a strong 84% audience rating.

Reviewers have praised the movie’s unflinching approach to trauma and its ability to find humor and humanity in dark places. Roger Ebert.com called it “a film that breathes empathy,” while The Guardian highlighted Victor’s decision to never show the assault as “an act of compassion that gives the story its power.” Critics from Rolling Stone and The Observer also praised Victor’s verve, confidence, and humor, calling the film both “funny and fiercely intelligent.”

Behind the camera, Lia Ouyang Rusli composed the original score, while cinematography captures the muted beauty of New England—reflecting Agnes’s emotional landscape. The film was shot primarily in Ipswich, Massachusetts, in early 2024.

Ultimately, Sorry, Baby stands out as one of A24’s most affecting releases of 2025—a story about pain, friendship, and the long road to self-reclamation. For those who missed it in theaters, it’s now streaming on HBO Max, and it’s absolutely worth adding to your weekend watchlist.