(Michelle Savill, New Zealand, 2022, 100 min, in English)

Millie, an architecture student from Wellington, New Zealand, has landed a competitive internship with a prestigious firm in New York. After telling everyone she knows about the opportunity, she suddenly suffers a panic attack as her plane is about to take off, and misses her flight. In a desperate pivot, Millie decides to save face by hiding in plain sight around Wellington, suitcase in tow, using Instagram and the power of denial to depict a trip to New York City that never happened. Trapped in a spiral of hilariously uncomfortable self-inflected scenarios, Millie will have to dig deep to restore her mental health and her dignity.

Praised by FilmDaze for capturing “the chaotic self-destruction of Fleabag and the anxious missteps of Eighth Grade,” Millie Lies Low is a poignant cringe comedy for our time.

Synopsis and stills courtesy of Film Movement.

“It takes the popular tropes of messy women, social media, and an impending sense of existential anxiety, and lets it make our skin-crawl in new ways.” – Veronica Phillips, Film Daze

“From goofy grins to anxiety-ridden wide eyes, Scotney’s range and talent is clear: her comic timing and commitment to Millie’s mania are exemplary.” – Tara Judah, Screen Daily