When Sandra (Clare Dunne) escapes from her abusive husband she is thrown into a broken housing system. After struggling to find a suitable home for her two young children she decides to build her own and in the process finds a new lease of life and a supportive community. 

Herself features a great deal of impressive components that it can be hard to single out specific ones for praise. If I were forced to choose one specific facet of the film though, it would be how it manages to pivot from brutally violent and psychological lows to moments of elation and happiness. This is perhaps epitomised by the film’s opening scenes where we see Sandra joyfully dancing with her children to Sia’s ‘Chandelier’ before being violently beaten up by her husband. The film will go on to balance the lows of PTSD, child custody hearings and housing support issues with the uplifting nature of a community working together and people supporting each other. 

The writing and acting is universally excellent throughout. Clare Dunne, who co-wrote with Malcolm Campbell gives a terrific performance as a woman navigating horrific emotional trauma whilst two young child stars in Molly McCann and Ruby Rose O’Hara give brilliant authentic performances on difficult subject matter. A mention should also be given to Ian Lloyd Anderson who portrays the violent husband who is not just a caricature. 

Herself is a powerful and emotional journey through dark subject matter that manages to give an uplifting message of hope.