Urchin

Sleeping rough on the streets of London, Mike seems unable to escape the chaos of his impulsivity and substance abuse. He’s intelligent and charismatic, but when his addiction results in an act of unprovoked violence, he’s quickly arrested. Upon release, having used his time in prison to get clean, Mike secures a job, a roof over his head, a tentative romance and a chance to change his life, one self-help tape at a time. But all it takes to spin everything out of control again is the slightest slip into temptation.

As an actor, Harris Dickinson has shown a penchant for considered, clever cinema in films such as Triangle of Sadness (MIFF 2022) and Babygirl. He demonstrates that amply in his feature directorial debut, which he also wrote and performs a key onscreen role in; while a revelatory Frank Dillane (Harvest, MIFF 2025), who added to the film’s FIPRESCI Prize at Cannes by landing the Un Certain Regard award for Best Actor, embodies Mike with magnetic force. Deeply rooted in humane authenticity, Urchin reveals a stunning new filmmaking voice.

“Devastating, delicate … a breathtaking work of overwhelming humanity and a debut for the ages.” – The Wrap