Erupcja Review: Charli xcx Stuns In Romantic Euro-Trip Of Destruction & Fresh Starts

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There’s a certain freedom that comes with being in a new place, and while Warsaw isn’t entirely new to singer Charli XCX (Bethany), she hasn’t been back in a while. She arrives in Poland with her boyfriend, Will Madden (Rob), who secretly plans to propose. Bethany suspects he’s going to ask her to marry him, which is making her feel restless. When a volcanic eruption in Italy causes their flight home to London to be delayed, Bethany unexpectedly reconnects with an old, sometimes-complicated friend named Nel (Lena Góra), and something within her also gives way.

Pete Ohs’s new film is a quiet, thoughtful romance about the desire for drastic change, and the often underwhelming reality when those changes don’t live up to expectations. Ohs collaborated with his cast, including playwright Jeremy O. Harris, on the script, also serving as the film’s cinematographer and editor. This collaborative process gives the movie a spontaneous and liberating energy, mirroring the freedom felt by the characters, Bethany and Nel, as they run through the nighttime streets of Warsaw. While a relatively small-scale drama, it’s Ohs’s strongest work to date and showcases Charli xcx’s captivating presence as an actress.

Erupcja Is A Quiet Explosion Of Romance

Okay, so there’s this really cool, quirky premise in this movie – the Polish word ‘erupcja’ means ‘eruption,’ and it totally fits because whenever these two women, Nel and Bethany, meet up, a volcano actually erupts somewhere in the world! It started when they were teenagers – Bethany got stuck in Warsaw for a month, and boom, a volcano went off. It’s happened a few times since then, and the latest time involved Bethany traveling with her partner, Rob. But what I really love is that the director, Ohs, uses all this explosive imagery to actually explore the quieter, more subtle kinds of love – it’s a really interesting contrast.

Rob has many appealing qualities – he’s attentive, considerate, and easygoing. However, Bethany finds herself strangely irritated by him. She’s bothered by his habits, like when he sits while using the restroom, and seems more interested in chatting with a stranger at a nearby table than with Rob, who actually made their dinner reservation. This dissatisfaction leads her to reconnect with an old friend, Nel. Bethany walks Nel home from work, and despite years of no contact, they quickly fall back into a comfortable and familiar connection, as if no time had passed at all.

There’s a noticeable tension whenever Bethany and Rob are together, but the scenes with Nel and Bethany feel relaxed and natural, even though they’re often on the go. They might be out late, clubbing and smoking, but they share a comfortable connection – in how they support each other and talk – that’s surprisingly calming. Rob asks questions that feel pushy and unwanted, while Nel’s questions are curious and open-ended.

Magdalena Góra has been acting since 2011 and brings a calming, natural energy to the chaotic world of Erupcja. However, the biggest surprise is Charli xcx, who takes on her first leading role after smaller parts in films like this year’s Faces of Death remake and 2025’s 100 Nights of Hero. While she played a version of herself in this year’s The Moment, Erupcja allows the singer to showcase a more thoughtful and introspective side.

Bethany’s actions might have been drastic – she essentially abandoned her life and her boyfriend – but Charli XCX portrays her with a unique combination of warmth and a detached coolness that fits the singer’s own public image. Fans following Charli XCX’s career will be thrilled with this project, especially knowing she’s also involved in a new horror film by Takashi Miike and upcoming features from directors Greg Araki and Cathy Yan. It’s clear she’s taking on exciting and diverse roles.

Despite its title suggesting something dramatic, the 71-minute film Erupcja is surprisingly subtle. Director Ohs guides his actors to deliver calm, assured performances, telling a straightforward story of quiet breakdowns. These events, while significant and leading to major life changes, feel natural and almost peaceful, rather than chaotic. The possibility of a new beginning feels genuinely uplifting and exciting.

Erupcja releases in theaters in New York and LA on April 17.

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2026-04-15 19:10