The Cope | Film

THE COPE is a universal exploration of toxic love. They say love is blind, and in the case of the protagonist Sadhbh, that is undoubtedly true.

Trapped in a relationship that, at best, is toxic, Sadhbh knows things aren’t right. Situations should be better. But with the realisation comes the inevitable self-sabotage. It is easier to ignore slipping back into the comfort of a noxious embrace. All of this is not made any easier by her boyfriend, Matty, who weaponises Sadhbh’s insecurities and addictions, trapping her in a cage of her own making.

This is very much a film for the time we live, dealing with essential issues: like addiction, mental health, toxic masculinity and the housing crisis. The story is universal in its depiction of contemporary, early adulthood. Although set in small-town Ireland, it could be any town anywhere globally. This drama is not quite ‘kitchen sink’, but there is a sharp social critique. And when that is juxtaposed against the ethereal nature of Sadhbh’s dance rehearsals, a poetic, Gen Z counterbalance that is as universal as tick-tock videos.