: Critics at Screen Daily highlight the film's "social-realism" style, comparing it to the work of the Dardenne brothers for its focus on poverty, exile, and family struggle.
Watch the official trailer to see Monika's journey and the film's gritty Dublin setting: THE CASTLE trailer | 2020 | Artbox Production House ArtboxLTproduction YouTube• Jul 19, 2020 Director/Writer : Lina Lužytė Monika : Barbora Bareikytė Jolanta (Mother) : Gabija Jaraminaitė Granny : Jūratė Onaitytė The Castle (2020)
: The film effectively uses the "grey docklands" and "crowded housing estates" of Dublin to contrast with Monika's bright-eyed musical ambitions. The.Castle.2020.PL.WEB-DL.XviD-K83.avi
: Some viewers felt the ending was slightly "abrupt," though it remained emotionally involving throughout.
Reviewers from platforms like IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes generally praise the film for its emotional depth and realistic portrayal of immigrant life. : Critics at Screen Daily highlight the film's
The Castle * Lina Luzyte. * Writer. Lina Luzyte. * Barbora Bareikyte. Gabija Jaraminaite. Jurate Onaityte. The Castle (2020)
The story follows ( Barbora Bareikytė ), a 13-year-old Lithuanian girl living in Dublin with her mother, Jolanta, and her grandmother, who suffers from dementia. Monika is a talented singer who dreams of playing a prestigious venue called "The Castle". Her mother, a pragmatic realist working in a fish factory, dismisses these dreams and sells their keyboard to make ends meet. In a desperate attempt to fund her performance, Monika orchestrates a fake kidnapping of her own grandmother to demand a ransom from her mother. Critical Reception Reviewers from platforms like IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes
: Barbora Bareikytė’s lead performance is widely considered a breakout role, described as intense and "a talent to watch".