Streaming giant Netflix has discreetly added a new film to its library that critics are already calling one of the standout releases of 2025. Left-Handed Girl, a Taiwanese family comedy-drama, appeared on the platform on Friday, 28th November, following its celebrated premiere at the Cannes Film Festival back in May.
From Cannes Acclaim to Your Living Room
The film marks the solo directorial debut of Shih-Ching Tsou, a filmmaker known for her regular collaborations with Oscar-winning director Sean Baker, whose film Anora won Best Picture earlier this year. Baker also co-wrote Left-Handed Girl, a project that has been in development since the pair co-directed Take Out in 2004.
The story follows a five-year-old girl, played by Nina Ye, who relocates with her sister (Shih-Yuan Ma) and their mother (Janel Tsai) from the peaceful Taiwanese countryside to the vibrant, chaotic capital of Taipei. There, the trio opens a noodle shop in a bustling night market, navigating the challenges of adapting to their new urban environment.
Critical Praise and Directorial Vision
Critics have been effusive in their praise. Collider hailed it as "one of the best solo directing debuts of the year", while The Spectator commended the film for being "tender without ever being sentimental". The Times highlighted its "rebellious spirit and sense of mischief" and singled out young actress Nina Ye's performance as particularly standout.
Director Shih-Ching Tsou revealed to Netflix that her own childhood in Taiwan was the central inspiration. "Growing up in Taiwan, I often felt confined by tradition and expectations, especially as a girl," she said. "I was taught to stay quiet, to follow the rules." She described making the film as a way of "reconnecting with that quiet version of myself, and finally telling her story out loud".
A Unique Approach to Filmmaking
To achieve an authentic family dynamic on screen, Tsou employed a unique method, avoiding formal rehearsals. Instead, she asked each cast member to draw on their most intense family experiences. She also intentionally limited pre-filming bonding among the cast to preserve a natural tension. "The emotional tension – the love, the frustration, the silence – was exactly what I wanted them to carry into every scene," Tsou explained, adding that the cast delivered this "beautifully".
Left-Handed Girl is available to stream on Netflix now.
