Faith at Toronto film festival: Erin Doherty and James McAvoy in a taut mystery drama

Faith screened at the Toronto film festival.

The British mystery drama is written and directed by Paul Andrew Williams and stars Erin Doherty as Mina, a single mother to nine-year-old Jamie, and James McAvoy as Michael, an enigmatic man who courts her in a downbeat town served in part by a candy factory. Mina works on the production line and is well liked by colleagues and her sister.

At a raucous pub quiz Mina meets Michael, who drinks a non-alcoholic beverage, speaks with easy confidence and volunteers at a local food bank. He charms Mina, wins Jamie’s affection and plays Super Mario Kart with the boy upstairs.

Mina’s sister expresses suspicion about Michael, wondering whether he was a teacher or performing court-ordered community service; Mina rejects those doubts and is taken with the attention Michael gives her.

Director Williams manages a growing mood of dread and fascination as the story progresses. The film’s central dramatic events escalate that mood, presenting Michael alternately with a priestly authority and as a strange outsider.

Reviewers singled out strong performances from Doherty and McAvoy and noted Williams’s frequent use of looming closeups to probe the characters’ faces.

Faith screened at the Toronto film festival.