Movie Review: Mouse
Mouse is the third film from writing-directing team Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson, and another great film from the duo. O’Sullivan and Thompson deliver an authentic, emotional, tender coming-of-age film about understanding tragedy and the relationship between mothers and daughters. It is equally heartwarming as it is heartbreaking.
Thompson and O’Sullivan set Mouse in North Little Rock, Arkansas, in 2002, and seamlessly immerse us in the era without overdoing it. With specific trends, music, and no social media, Mouse perfectly captures a specific time and place I remember well. The film follows best friends Minnie (Katherine Mallen Kupferer) and Chloe (Callie Bell), who are on the verge of their senior year in high school. Minnie and Chloe are a yin-and-yang best friend duo. Minnie is shy, quiet, and incredibly smart. She comes from a humble living situation and is more of a background player in life. Chloe has dreams of being a star. She comes from a wealthy family and is a talented stage performer. Everyone in school loves Chloe, and Chloe loves that everyone loves her. Despite their differences, Minnie and Chloe always have each other’s backs. We feel the strength of their relationship as soon as we meet them.
Minnie and Chloe’s relationship is upended by a tragic event during the summer. This happens early in the film, but because of how strongly their relationship is established, and the chemistry between Kupferer and Bell, this tragedy hits like we’ve known these two for years.
There is a lot to take in with Mouse following the tragic event. Thompson and O’Sullivan take us on a human journey through grief, growing up, and the relationships between mothers and daughters. Following the tragedy, Minnie starts to become closer to Chloe’s mom, Helen (Sophie Okonedo), while neglecting her own mother (played by Kupferer’s real-life mother, Tara Mallen) and home life. She is also trying to survive senior year and learn about herself, including an unexpected romance with an employee at her local video store (an endlessly charming Iman Vellani), all while trying to understand what happened over the summer.
Katherine Mallen Kupferer is a star in the making. She gives one of the great breakout performances of the year as Minnie. Kupferer masterfully balances a range of emotions Minnie is going through. She can be sad and lonely but also a ray of sunshine and energetic. Minnie also doesn’t always fully express herself verbally, but Kupferer’s internalized and facial acting allows us to understand everything Minnie is feeling. Kupferer also goes toe-to-toe with Oscar-nominee Okonedo, who is spectacular and devastating. Kupferer and Okonedo are the heart and soul of Mouse, each giving brilliant turns that elevate its superb writing and directing.
Like their last film, 2024’s sensational Ghostlight, Thompson and O’Sullivan paint a painful but authentic look at how life continues, even in the face of tragedy. There is so much happening in the lives of Minnie and Helen, but it is all taking place in the shadow of the tragedy. Everything they do, every relationship, every school decision, every meal eaten, is done with this unthinkable loss lurking in the back, and they, along with everyone else in this small town, must learn how to move on, and do so in their own way. Thompson and O’Sullivan take their time to flesh out all their characters and complete all their stories. The film doesn’t end on a note that ties everything up in a nice, little bow, because nothing can be tied up nicely following a tragedy. But it does conclude on a hopeful, sweet note, showing that grief and joy can co-exist.
Mouse is a powerful, beautifully written, and brilliantly acted drama about love, loss, growing up, and the complicated bond between mothers and daughters. Led by a breakout turn by Katherine Mallen Kupferer, it is the best film yet from Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson, and one of the very best of 2026.
TL;DR Review of Mouse
- One of the best films of 2026
- An outstanding script from Kelly O’Sullivan. It is filled with rich character development and powerful emotion.
- Katherine Mallen Kupferer gives a tremendous breakout performance.
- A powerful, authentic, beautiful coming-of-age film about grief, love, and the complicated relationship between mothers and daughters.
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