Indie films often ask actresses to go to unglamorous places. Think of Charlize Theron in Monster (an indie at heart) or Florence Pugh in Midsommar. Are they willing to look ugly, awkward, or physically diminished? Are they comfortable with silence and stillness?

Writing movie reviews for independent films requires a different rubric than reviewing a Marvel movie. If you are a critic or a fan looking to grade a performance, here are the pillars to consider:

Note the control. Is the actress using naturalistic overlapping dialogue (à la Robert Altman or Greta Gerwig)? Or is she projecting?

If you're interested in learning more about Malayali actresses or movies: