Scrapper (2023)

Scrapper feels like a burst of fresh air: a London coming-of-age story with the scrappy wit of a comedy and the quiet ache of a drama, told with a visual playfulness that makes even ordinary flats and backstreets feel alive. Charlotte Regan directs with real invention, letting humor and heartbreak share the same frame, while Lola Campbell is a small miracle as Georgie—tough, funny, guarded, and unmistakably a kid—matched beautifully by Harris Dickinson’s disarming, imperfect warmth. The vibe is bright and street-level, full of sly jokes and sudden tenderness, never begging for tears but earning its emotional punches. If you prefer your family stories neat and sentimental, this one’s messier and more honest, but that’s exactly why it lingers.

Scrapper is aiming for a scruffy, tender coming-of-age tale where grief and survival are filtered through a kid’s imagination, and it often lands on something genuinely sweet thanks to Lola Campbell’s sharp, lived-in performance and Harris Dickinson’s messy charm. The catch is that the film leans hard into whimsy and “quirky” touches, which can feel a bit cutesy and at odds with the gritty setup, like it wants kitchen-sink realism and storybook magic in the same breath. If you’re hoping for a fresh, laugh-out-loud comedy-drama or a hard-edged, realistic look at a child living alone, you may find it familiar, predictable, and emotionally softened. But if you like gentle, character-led British indies with warmth, rough edges, and more mood than plot mechanics, it’s an easy watch with a solid heart.