Pretenders

The film follows Tessa, a shy, awkward teenager who dreams of becoming a rock star and escaping her small town. She fakes her own death with her best friend, Freya, to convince her mother to let her go to an all-girls boarding school. At the school, Tessa meets a mysterious girl named Dawn and begins to explore her identity and sexuality, all while grappling with the consequences of her elaborate deception.

Sia's directorial debut, 'Pretenders,' received largely negative reviews from critics, who criticized its convoluted plot, inconsistent tone, and underdeveloped characters. While the performances of the lead actresses were sometimes praised, the film as a whole was seen as a disjointed and ultimately unsuccessful attempt at a coming-of-age musical drama.

• The film suffers from a nonsensical plot and an inability to balance its musical aspirations with its dramatic ambitions.
• Performances are a mixed bag, with some actors managing to shine despite the weak material.
• Visually, the film is often jarring and fails to create a cohesive aesthetic.

Google audience: Audience reviews for 'Pretenders' are mixed, with many finding the story confusing and the musical numbers disconnected from the plot. Some viewers appreciated the effort to create a unique musical, while others felt it was a missed opportunity with a weak script and unconvincing character arcs.

Sia wrote the script for 'Pretenders' herself, drawing inspiration from her own experiences and desires.