Ronan gives a commanding performance in 'The Outrun'

Going back home is hard. It’s harder still when you’re in the midst of battling your demons. That’s a big part of what makes The Outrun, a new film opening Friday, October 4, such a fascinating watch.

The film was adapted by director Nora Fingsheidt along with Amy Liptrot. It’s based on Liptrot’s 2016 memoir of the same name, which chronicled her journey home following a stint in rehab. The book talked about a rough 10-year stretch for her in London that led to addiction and seeking treatment, then the process of coming home and getting better.

The film follows the same premise. Rona (Saoirse Ronan) has made it through a 90-day program and returns to her family home on Orkney Island, off the coast of Scotland. She’s been through some rough times and her healing journey is just beginning. Being home is both an escape and a reminder at times that she doesn’t fit in.

There, she has to deal with her mother having shared her story with many people in the small town and her father (Stephen Dillane), who has long been battling his own demons with mental illness. All the while she tries to appreciate the change-of-pace, battle her cravings, get her head on straight, and dive into nature and the world around her.

I liked the way the film was put together. There’s plenty of juxtaposition between her current work and memories—told in the form of flashback—to the previous 10 years in London. We see her life of partying and the toll it took on personal and professional relationships. We see the events that culminated in her finally seeking help.

Another interesting approach is the voice overs from Rona that share thoughts on nature, the community, and the history of her home. It’s an engaging and creative way to dive into this non-linear story that’s meant to show the long, sometimes painful road back from addiction.

Ronan gives an engaging and fierce performance. She carries the film and gives her all through some difficult storylines and sequences. She’s nothing short of engaging, which holds you in this journey.

The rest of the film has its moments. The beautiful shots that capture Orkney Island is fascinating. Not all the story flows smoothly, which makes the film as a whole uneven at times. But I loved the performance from Ronan, who should be on the short list this award season.

The Outrun opens nationwide on Friday, October 4.