Glorious Summer SXSW review

As you turn on the news or scroll through your social media feed, you might argue that a little peace and quiet would be blissful. But it’s hard to truly disconnect from the world. No matter how much you try, there’s always something pulling you back, reminding you of the state of humanity. The idea of peace sounds wonderful, but it could also become its own kind of prison—one that disconnects you from understanding the world and, some might say, your ability to have meaningful engagements with others.

I’ve tried my best to tune out the noise, but no matter what I do, I can’t fully escape. That, however, is not a problem for the characters in Glorious Summer. Some might say they have it made, while others might call it a prison. What I call it is a beautiful movie to look at.

Set in a grand Renaissance-style palace in an unknown location, we meet three women (Magdalena Fejdasz, Helena Ganjalyan, and Daniela Komedera) who live a life free of responsibilities. Their days are filled with wellness activities and a daily ritual of declaring what made their day glorious. All of their needs are met, but we never see who meets them. They only communicate with a machine that asks what they require.

I won’t lie—their lives look pretty great. They spend their time basking in the sun or lounging in a small pool, blissfully unaware of the outside world. But their idyllic existence comes with one rule: they must never leave.

Over time, curiosity starts to gnaw at them. The freedom they once cherished begins to feel like a burden, and their desire to escape grows stronger. They devise a plan—practicing how to play dead in hopes that a vehicle will take them away to another place. They have the plan, and they want to make it happen. But the question is: Can they do it?

Written and directed by Bartosz Szpak and Helena Ganjalyan, Glorious Summer often feels like a dream, blurring the lines between utopia and imprisonment. The world they inhabit is undeniably beautiful—visually stunning for us as viewers. But as time passes, that beauty starts to lose its luster, even becoming a little suffocating. And it makes you wonder: Is bliss worth the cost of losing your freedom?

Glorious Summer has a lot working in its favor—particularly in its aesthetics and performances—but its beauty may not be for everyone. Some viewers may struggle with the pacing, as there are no shocking twists or turns. Instead, the story unfolds slowly, only hitting its stride as its deeper truths begin to reveal themselves.

The performances, much like the world the characters reside in, are mesmerizing. There’s a fragile sisterhood between the women, making their interactions feel both intimate and delicate. While at times it might seem like not much is happening, the film takes its time, carefully building tension. An uneasiness lingers throughout, as a faceless, unseen threat looms over everything the women do—and as a viewer, you feel it.

Ultimately, Glorious Summer is worth your time. It’s can be the definition of eye candy, but it’s so much more than that. Long after it ends, it lingers with you about what you would consider the perfect way to live.