At a Glance
- H Is for Hawk – a film adaptation of Helen Macdonald’s 2014 memoir about grief and a goshawk.
- 2026 – release year.
- PG-13, 119 min.
- Rating: 3 out of 5.
- Director: Philippa Lowthorpe.
- Lead: Claire Foy as Helen Macdonald.
A gripping portrait of a woman’s mourning, H Is for Hawk follows Helen Macdonald (Claire Foy) as she turns to the wild to cope with her father’s death. Adapted from her 2014 memoir, the film, directed by Philippa Lowthorpe, follows the rigorous training of a goshawk named Mabel while Helen battles grief and obsession. The result is a tense, contemplative drama that blends nature footage with human emotion.
The Story Behind the Goshawk
Helen Macdonald (Claire Foy) is a Cambridge academic who has lost her father, a celebrated photojournalist (Brendan Gleeson). In the film, her grief is portrayed through a series of flashbacks that reveal a bond marked by humor, shared curiosity about nature, and a maverick streak. A memorable moment occurs when the pair stare at a hawk in flight, mirroring each other’s admiration.
The film’s narrative centers on Helen’s decision to acquire a goshawk, a choice she defends with the line, “I don’t want a lady bird.” She describes the bird as “a perfectly evolved psychopath,” a description offered by her falconer friend Stuart (Sam Spruell). The story tracks her laborious training process and the emotional toll it takes.
Casting and Direction
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Claire Foy | Helen Macdonald |
| Brendan Gleeson | Father |
| Denise Gough | Sister |
| Sam Spruell | Stuart |
| Lindsay Duncan | Mother |
Philippa Lowthorpe, who previously directed Foy in The Crown, brings a measured pace to the film. The direction balances intimate character work with expansive wildlife cinematography, capturing the goshawk’s hunting prowess without glorifying it.
The Training Journey
The training scenes are the film’s heart. Helen, an experienced falconer, must confront her own anxiety while forging a bond with Mabel. The process is described as “laborious” and “fascinating.” The filmmakers aim to honor Macdonald’s reverence for the predators, presenting Mabel with solemnity even during chase sequences. Helen attempts to explain the “holiness in bearing witness” to her students, but her struggle is palpable and often fails.
Themes and Tone
Grief, obsession, and the intersection of human and animal worlds weave through the film. The narrative mirrors Helen’s misdirection: the training of Mabel so engrossing that viewers forget she is barely holding together. Her friends and family stay at a distance, and the extent of her unraveling becomes undeniable. Foy’s portrayal of Helen’s prickliness, anxiety, and steady dimming is moving and authentic.
The film’s tone is sober, avoiding epiphanies and instead offering a contemplative look at a universal loss. The goshawk itself is presented as a revelation, a living symbol of resilience.
Reception and Critique
The film holds a 3 out of 5 rating from reviewers. Critics praise its compact scope and the performances, especially Foy’s nuanced depiction of grief. Some note that the climax feels detached from the main story, as Helen does not appear at the church-set eulogy. Without Mabel’s presence, the film’s narrative arc feels incomplete.
Key Takeaways
- H Is for Hawk turns personal grief into a visual study of a goshawk’s training.
- The film balances character drama with wildlife cinematography.
- Helen’s journey highlights how obsession can both heal and alienate.
- The narrative’s strength lies in its subtlety rather than grand gestures.
