Judy & Punch

In the small town of Seaside, located in the 17th-century era, there lived a married couple named Judy (played by Mia Wasikowska) and Punch (played by Damon Herriman) who had a puppet show business. The show had been a hit amongst the folks for generations. Punch was the main performer and had a temperamental personality - he was prone to outbursts of rage and arrogance. In contrast, Judy was the more level-headed one and the puppeteer who pulled the strings behind-the-scenes.

As the story progressed, it became evidently clear that Punch was not the faithful husband that Judy deserved. Instead, he was having an affair with another woman in the town, and during the early stages of the film, he was even caught red-handed by his wife. After a heated argument, he punched her in the stomach and left her to die in the forest.

Despite not being the story's central point, this event set the tone for the rest of the movie. The film showcased how cruel and merciless humans and society can be, and how a woman's life could hang in the balance due to the decisions of the men around her.

After the disappearance of his wife, Punch fell into a downward spiral of depression and alcohol abuse. He had to face the truth about himself, his actions, and the guilt that overwhelmed him in the aftermath of the incident. It was during this time that he met a young and innocent girl named Judy (played by Daisy Axon), who brought warmth and kindness to his life.

Together, they decided to revive the puppet show, but despite their attempts, they quickly found out that the times had changed. Nothing was as it used to be, and they struggled to adapt. Moreover, they had to contend with the judgmental and hypocritical town's people who constantly criticized their shows for being too archaic and out of touch.

Judy & Punch is far from your typical family-friendly puppet show, friends. The movie presents a harsh and bleak reality that is often uncomfortable to watch. However, it is also beautifully filmed and well-performed, with a nuanced and multi-layered plot that can only encourage viewers to think deeply about the themes that it addresses.

The character of Punch is particularly intriguing. Damon Herriman possesses a magnetic charisma and charisma that is difficult to hate, despite his violent and abusive tendencies. It often felt that his character was on the brink of self-realization, and it was fascinating to see how it drove the plot towards its climax.

On the other hand, the character of Judy, played by Mia Wasikowska, was the one who held the story together. Mia Wasikowska's portrayal of Judy was filled with subtlety and nuance, and it was she who bore the emotional weight of the entire narrative. She was a force to be reckoned with, even though she existed in a society that was deeply sexist and unjust.

As I mentioned earlier, this movie features some incredibly dark themes, including domestic abuse, infidelity, murder, and self-destruction. The filmmakers do not shy away from showing the ugliness and harshness of life, but they also pepper in moments of levity and humor to lighten the mood.

All in all, Judy & Punch is an intriguing and unconventional film that will no doubt divide audiences. Still, if you are looking for a unique and thought-provoking take on the classic puppet show, then this movie is definitely worth watching.