Judy and Punch

"As inspiration for decor and costumes, Foulkes and her crew looked at Dutch paintings of the period, but don't expect any Vermeer-like passages of luminosity or serenity to seep into the picture. The look is grimy, the tone is wacky and the pace is hectic."

"A risky project for Foulkes to make as her first feature, Judy & Punch ventures a little too far into troubled waters with its comedic handling of heavy matter, but shows promise in the woman holding the strings."

"There are memorable moments and promising directorial touches but, in another way, there is so much crammed in that it becomes a bit of a dog's breakfast."

"The overall concept, from Foulkes and her trio of story collaborators, has a bracingly original air, from the film's period anachronisms to its impressive design elements."

"This live action reinterpretation of the traditional puppet show is a grand guignol romp through a society gripped by a fever of superstitions."

"A tonally complex comedy-drama about spousal abuse, infant mortality and misogyny told with magic tricks, puppets and slapstick."