Remember those teenage dreams of becoming the next Kate Moss? Well, Saule Bliuvaite’s stunning debut film “Toxic” will make you proper glad you didn’t pursue them. This gut-punch of a drama follows two Lithuanian teens whose desperate grab at modelling fame leads them down a seriously dodgy path – and trust me, it’s about to become your next film club obsession.
Set in the rough-and-tumble suburbs of Kaunas (think Middlesbrough with extra grit), we meet Marija (newcomer Vesta Matulyte), a shy girl with a slight limp who’s living with her nan while mum sorts out her relationship drama. Sound familiar? It should – we’ve all known a Marija, though perhaps not one who ends up in quite such deep water.
Through a brilliantly authentic swimming pool dust-up (which had me flashing back to Year 9 PE), Marija befriends the fiery Kristina (Ieva Rupeikaite). Their chemistry on screen is electric – these aren’t your typical Hollywood teens, but real girls with real dreams of escaping their concrete jungle.
Here’s where things get proper dark. Our duo spots an ad for a “modelling school” promising trips to fashion capitals and a golden ticket out of their dead-end town. But oi, what’s this about upfront fees and dodgy contracts? The predatory nature of the scheme unfolds with the slow-burn tension of a true crime doc.
Having covered the fashion industry for years, I’ve seen firsthand how these schemes operate. Bliuvaite nails the subtle manipulation – the way hope can be weaponised against the vulnerable. It’s “Britain’s Next Top Model” meets “Requiem for a Dream”, minus the glamorous bits.
Cinematographer Vytautas Katkus deserves a massive shout-out here. The film’s look is pure class – think Andrea Arnold’s “Fish Tank” meets “Girl” by Lukas Dhont. Every frame tells a story, from cramped bedroom heart-to-hearts to the harsh fluorescent lights of dodgy casting calls.
While not directly based on a single story, Bliuvaite drew from numerous real-life cases of modelling industry exploitation in Eastern Europe. The film’s events mirror documented scams that continue to target vulnerable teens.
Toxic hits select UK cinemas from August 2025, followed by streaming release on MUBI. Check your local independent cinema for screening dates.
While it shares themes with films like “Pleasure” and “Holiday”, Toxic stands apart through its focus on teenage vulnerability and friendship. It’s less explicit but equally powerful in its message.
Listen, I know another subtitled drama about exploitation might sound like hard work for your Friday night. But trust me, this one’s different. It’s got heart, humour (yes, really), and performances that’ll knock your socks off. Bliuvaite has announced herself as a major talent, and I’m already buzzing to see what she does next.
Seen Toxic? Drop your thoughts in the comments below – I’m proper keen to hear what you make of that gut-punch ending. And if you’ve had your own run-ins with dodgy “opportunities”, share your story. Sometimes the best defence is knowing you’re not alone.