Review: Left-Handed Girl (2025) – A raw family story that doubles as a love letter to Taiwan
In Left-Handed Girl, first-time director Shih-Ching Tsou tells the story of a struggling mother and her two daughters navigating life in Taipei while dealing with the pressures of family, reputation, and survival. Tsou, who previously worked closely with The Florida Project director Sean Baker, brings a grounded realism to the film, which was shot entirely on iPhones and stars Nina Ye alongside young actress Huang Xi-Yi as the youngest daughter, Mei.
This is a deeply personal, intimate film. Mei, the youngest daughter, is incredibly charming and completely magnetic on screen — the kind of child performance where you simply can’t look away. But it’s the older daughter, I-Jing, played by newcomer Nina Ye, who carries much of the film’s emotional weight. Knowing this is Ye’s first film makes the performance even more impressive, because the role is layered and complicated, and she handles it with the confidence of someone far more experienced.
The story itself is not simple. Left-Handed Girl dives into complicated family dynamics and explores cultural expectations that shape the lives of its characters. We see how reputation can dictate behavior, how sons are often valued differently than daughters, and how women sometimes remain trapped in difficult marriages because of tradition and status. These themes unfold quietly but powerfully throughout the film.
At the same time, the movie feels like a love letter to Taiwan. Tsou captures the energy, the streets, and the everyday rhythms of life there in a way that feels authentic and affectionate. The use of iPhones gives the film a raw, almost documentary-like quality that pulls you closer to the characters and their world.
Left-Handed Girl isn’t always easy to watch, but it’s thoughtful, culturally rich storytelling from a promising new director who clearly has something meaningful to say.
Left-Handed Girl is now playing in select theaters on November 14 and will stream globally on Netflix, November 28, 2025.
11/14/25 S9:E92 Broadcast Package
