Judy & Punch is a dark comedy directed by Mirrah Foulkes. The film is a retelling of the classic puppet show Punch and Judy, which has been a popular entertainment across Europe since the 17th century.
The film is set in the fictional town of Seaside, which is a lawless place where law enforcement is non-existent. The town is plagued by crime, violence, and corruption. The story revolves around Judy and Punch, a married couple who are the only puppeteers in Seaside. They perform their show in the local tavern, where Punch entertains the crowd with slapstick violence and crude humor. However, it is Judy who is the real talent behind the show. Her puppeteering skills are exceptional, and she is highly respected by the people of the town.
One day, after a successful show, Punch goes on a drinking binge and becomes violent. He beats Judy and leaves her for dead in the forest. When she wakes up, she decides to take revenge on Punch and to prove that she is the true master of the puppet show.
As the story progresses, we see Judy battling her demons and facing the corruption and violence of the town. She teams up with a group of rebels who are fighting against the tyrannical ruler of Seaside. Together, they plan to overthrow the ruler and bring justice to the town.
Judy & Punch is a feminist take on a classic story that challenges the traditional gender roles and power dynamics. The film stars Mia Wasikowska as Judy and Damon Herriman as Punch. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2019 and was released in theaters in 2020.
