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Hard Truths is a 2024 drama film written and directed by Mike Leigh, starring Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Michele Austin, and David Webber. Set in London, its plot follows the plight of a depressed and nay-saying woman (Jean-Baptiste) and the relationship with her jovial sister Chantelle (Austin).
The film premiered at the 49th Toronto International Film Festival on 6 September 2024, and was met with widespread critical acclaim for its screenplay, direction and Jean-Baptiste's performance. It was released theatrically in the United States on 6 December 2024, by Bleecker Street, and in the United Kingdom on 31 January 2025, and in Spain on 28 February 2025. It was named one of the top 10 independent films of 2024 by the National Board of Review. Meanwhile, for her performance, Jean-Baptiste received Best Actress nominations at the Critics' Choice Awards, BAFTA Film Awards, and the Gotham Awards, and swept the Best Actress trifecta at the NYFCC, LAFCA, and NSFC, becoming the first woman of colour to do so.
After spending the days leading up to the anniversary getting into fights with strangers, Pansy goes with Chantelle to the grave, where she insists that Pearl gave Chantelle preferential treatment and put undeserved pressure on her after their father left them. As Chantelle denies the former claim, Pansy admits her fear that her family hates her, and Chantelle comforts her, promising that she loves her despite her issues.
The sisters go to Chantelle's flat for a Mother's Day celebration with their families, where Pansy, convinced that her fears about her family are true, is morose and silent. Chantelle pulls her aside and she admits that she married Curtley out of desperation but is unable to bring herself to divorce him, leaving her isolated and lonely. Returning to the party, she learns that Moses bought her flowers as a gift, contradicting her earlier belief that he would do nothing for Mother's Day. Pansy laughs hysterically before breaking down sobbing, thanking her son through tears.
When the Deacons return home, Pansy anxiously puts the flowers in a vase and leaves the patio door open, but after she leaves, Curtley throws them outside and shuts the door. The next day, he injures his back on the job and sends his coworker to wake Pansy, who becomes so anxious when he enters her bedroom that she cannot go downstairs. As a young woman approaches Moses while he is out on a walk, Curtley silently weeps downstairs while Pansy remains in her bedroom.
Filmmaker John Waters named it his fourth favorite film of 2024, calling it "A horribly sad and sometimes hilariously funny portrait of the most unpleasant sourpuss woman in the history of cinema. She's a rotten mother and a terrible wife, and everyone around her is racked with pain except the audience, which slowly begins to root for her. A wretched experience I'll cherish forever." Other filmmakers who praised the film include Joshua Oppenheimer, Pascal Plante and Nancy Savoca.
In June 2025, IndieWire ranked the film at number 67 on its list of "The 100 Best Movies of the 2020s (So Far)."
| Best International Feature | Mike Leigh, Georgina Lowe | ||
| Best Supporting Performance | Michele Austin | ||
| Original Screenplay | Mike Leigh | ||
| Best Director | Mike Leigh | ||
| Best Actress | Marianne Jean-Baptiste | ||
| Best Original Screenplay | Mike Leigh | ||
| Best Supporting Actress | Michele Austin | ||
| Outstanding British Film | Hard Truths | ||
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