Victoria Luxford
Victoria Luxford (Critic and broadcaster)
London writer with an affinity for queer cinema and American indies
London-born Victoria Luxford has been a film critic and broadcaster since 2007, writing about cinema all over the world. Beginning with regional magazines and entertainment websites, she soon built up a wealth of experience reviewing the latest releases and interviewing every major name in the industry.
Victoria has reviewed films for Little White Lies, City AM, Radio Times, Metro UK, UAE newspaper The National, and BBC Radio. She has also written about film for the Guardian, Empire, The Hollywood Reporter, and the BFI. In addition to radio, she has appeared on BBC World News, BBC South Today, and BBC One show Rip-Off Britain about trends in cinema. Victoria is an experienced Q&A host, having moderated panels for Picturehouse Cinemas, the BFI, and Peccadillo Pictures.
A film fan since she knew how to sit upright, Victoria’s formative film years were during the independent explosion of the 1990s, worshipping at the altar of Quentin Tarantino, the Coen Brothers and Martin Scorsese. Over time their scope began to widen, finding beauty in all areas of cinema, particularly when their interest turned into a profession.
A passionate advocate of cinema, Victoria is interested in unique storytelling, wherever it may come from. In the many years looking up at a big screen, she has been wowed by micro-budget masterpieces as well as expensive blockbusters. While she has an affinity for queer cinema and American indies, there’s something to be adored in every genre. Victoria believes in the value of film criticism, and has always prioritised absolute honesty over performative hot takes.
You can find Victoria talking about film on Twitter @JLFilm , and trying on colourful outfits on Instagram @JL_Film.
Other posts by Victoria Luxford
Punch
New Zealand drama blends boxing with gay romance, in a story that hits viewers right in the face - from the First Feature Competition of the 26th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival
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The Accident (O Acidente)
Inspired by a true "accident", this debut Brazilian feature delves straight into challenging subject matter, grabbing you from the very beginning of a story that grows into a compelling moral maze - from the First Feature Competition of the 26th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival
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Three Thousand Numbered Pieces (Haromezer Szamozott Darab)
Theatre director and Roma actors discuss their traumatic life, in this ambitious play-within-a film story - Hungarian drama premieres at the Rebel with a Cause strand of the 26th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival
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Job Interview (Entrevista Laboral)
Experimental to the extreme, this dirty gem from Colombia portrays a young rapper and the impressive urban landscape that surrounds him - from the Rebel with a Cause strand of the 26th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival
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Wake Up, Leonard
An LA actor tries to stay mindful in the chaos of this irreverent, modern comedy - from the 30th Raindance Film Festival
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Dogwatch
War may be hell, but this excellent Greek documentary shows that peace can also have its challenges - from the 30th Raindance Film Festival
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When We Speak
The costs of exposing the wrongs of the powerful are examined in this ambitious British documentary - from the 30th Raindance Film Festival
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Winners
This charming comedy from Iran celebrates childhood, community, and movies - from the 30th edition of the Raindance Film Festival
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Compartment No. 6
A nightmare train journey becomes a tale of human connection in this intriguing European co-production - on all major VoD platforms on Friday, May 6th
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King Richard
The biopic of tennis coach Richard Williams is a glossy but inspiring take on the American Dream, with a career-best performance from Will Smith - five-Oscar nominee is now in cinemas and also on various streaming platforms
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West Side Story
Spielberg is a little too reverent to cinema history in a remake that searches for a purpose - Oscar winner is out on VoD on Wednesday, April 21st.
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Drive My Car
This Oscar winner is a quietly wonderful exploration of grief and accepting the beauty of human complication - on all major VoD platforms on Friday, April 1st
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Souad
Egyptian drama conducts a quiet and yet powerful examination of faith, societal pressure and family - in cinemas Friday, August 27th
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Vanquish
Familiar actors fight their way through a dreadful John Wick imitation - on various Digital platforms on Friday, May 28th
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The Virtuoso
The life of an assassin has never been duller, as this limp thriller clings to an Oscar winner’s involvement for some credibility - on Digital on Friday, April 30th and on DVD on Monday, May 10th
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Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
James Luxford sheds a new light on the dirty comedy classic from the late 1990s, just in time for the release of its special edition on April 19th
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Ammonite
Francis Lee’s follow up to God’s Own Country is a disappointingly chilly romance with striking similarities to his previous endeavour – out on digital platforms from 26th March
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The Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy
This Japanese trio of short stories explores the power of the past in inventive ways - Silver Bear winner is on all major VoD platforms on Friday, July 1st
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Willy’s Wonderland
Maximum Cage rage as the Oscar-winner takes on killer animatronics, in a film that is more fun than it has a right to be – out on Digital platforms from 12th February
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You Cannot Kill David Arquette
The Hollywood actor seeks a blood-spattered redemption on the wrestling ring, as he grapples with his faltering career and tragic personal life - documentary is on VoD on Monday, November 23rd
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Monsoon
Henry Golding is haunted by the past in this elegant British work of cinematic tourism - in cinemas Friday, September 25th
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The New Mutants
This disjointed X-Men afterthought proves that some things aren't worth waiting for - the latest addition to the Marvel franchise is on Sky Cinema and NOW on Friday, June 11th
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Babyteeth
Parents disapprove of a seriously-ill teen's dalliance, in this palpably human Australian drama dotted with familiar faces - on VoD on Monday, December 7th; on Netflix on Thursday, December 31st
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An American Pickle
In an industry where even dead actors are getting new gigs, Seth Rogen playing two concurrent roles is nothing new, but the way he plays them is the true attraction - on Sky Cinema and NOW on Friday, April 30th
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Perfect 10
This gritty, powerful take of a fractured family has echoes of Andrea Arnold's FISH TANK, and is guaranteed to enrapture audiences in Britain and beyond - out on Friday, August 7th
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Summerland
Gemma Arterton shines in a wartime drama whose cosiness belies a revolutionary streak – on Sky Cinema and NOW on Saturday, July 31st; also on other platforms
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Stage Mother
Texas church choir director inherits her late son's drag queen club, in this all-American comedy where all problems are solved with a jolly tune - on VoD on Monday, November 16th; on Netflix on Monday, December 7th
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Litigante
A single mother cares for her ailing mother, with whom she has a stormy yet profound relationship, in this quietly impressive Colombian drama - on various VoD platforms in January
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Hamilton
Ambition, love, and hip-hop combine to bring Lin-Manuel Miranda's masterpiece to the small screen - out on Disney Plus on Friday, July 3rd
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