Sorry We Missed You (2019) – A Stirring Look at Modern Working-Class Struggles
Genre: Drama
Director: Ken Loach
Starring: Kris Hitchen, Debbie Honeywood, Rhys Stone, Katie Proctor
Ken Loach’s Sorry We Missed You is a raw, unflinching exploration of the modern gig economy and the toll it takes on working-class families. Returning to the same vein of social realism that defined his earlier work, Loach crafts a heartbreaking portrait of a family stretched to the breaking point by economic pressures and systemic inequality.
The story centers on Ricky Turner (Kris Hitchen), a former construction worker who takes a job as a self-employed delivery driver in hopes of achieving financial independence. However, the job is far from liberating. With tight schedules, no benefits, and fines for missed deliveries, Ricky’s work begins to consume his life. His wife, Abby (Debbie Honeywood), works grueling hours as a home care nurse, facing her own set of challenges and emotional exhaustion. Meanwhile, their children struggle with the absence of their parents and the growing tension at home.
Kris Hitchen and Debbie Honeywood deliver stunning, naturalistic performances that ground the film in authenticity. Their chemistry feels painfully real, capturing the quiet despair of people trying to stay afloat in a system designed to keep them down. Loach’s direction is understated but powerful, letting the story unfold in a way that feels both personal and universal.
What makes Sorry We Missed You so impactful is its refusal to offer easy solutions. It doesn’t villainize individuals but instead critiques a system that prioritizes profit over people. It’s a deeply empathetic film, filled with moments of warmth, struggle, and quiet heartbreak.
This is not just a film—it’s a wake-up call. It speaks directly to the realities many face today and stands as one of Ken Loach’s most urgent and affecting works. If you’ve ever wondered about the human cost behind fast deliveries and flexible labor, this film is essential viewing.
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