Review Published 7th March 2026

Watch the official trailer.

An Unexpected Visit

Set on the 3rd of June in 2017, the film follows a twenty-five-year-old named Reality (Sydney Sweeney). One day, Reality returns home after picking up some groceries and is surprised to find two FBI agents waiting for her outside. Both men present their identification, state their names, Agent Garrick (Josh Hamilton) and Agent Taylor (Marchánt Davis), and explain that they have a search warrant for her home. Reality is stumped as to why the FBI agents would want to search her house, but they explain the reason relates to the possible mishandling of classified information.

Getting to Know Reality

While the FBI prepare for deeper discussions, small talk occurs with Reality. We learn that Reality lives independently of her animals, which she adores. She is committed to yoga for her health, has an Air Force background, and speaks multiple languages. All these questions asked by the FBI agents feel uncomfortable for Reality, but she cooperates with the two agents. We also better understand Reality’s role as a Farsi translator, in which she must review many documents each day. Soon, Reality is invited to an empty room in her home with only the two agents present to continue questioning her, while other agents continue to search her home. The question is, did Reality leak classified information?

A Story Taken from the Record

Reality is based on a true story and actual events, for those unaware. The film acknowledges its source of information, helping to keep the movie as factual as possible. The audience is told that “…the FBI documented the following events with an audio recorder. The dialogue in this movie is taken entirely from the transcript of that recording.” The film is very clever, and at various times it cuts to the audio recording to reduce stimulus while viewers form their opinion at crucial moments. Actual photographs of Reality and the events that took place, all in one day, are also shown.

An Engaging True Story

Personally, I needed to familiarise myself with this story. From the opening, where the FBI introduce themselves to Reality, who seems baffled by the visit, I found myself highly curious to discover what was happening and whether Reality had any dark secrets. The location for the vast majority of the film is within one room, and the film is dialogue-heavy. Despite this, I did not feel bored or disinterested. Instead, I was surprised when the credits began rolling down my screen, as the runtime was not even noticed or felt.

A Powerful Lead Performance

Performances here are great, particularly from Sydney Sweeney as Reality. While I need to become more familiar with the actress’s past work in films, I found her performance here impressive and highly believable. Her mannerisms and the way she responds to or observes her surroundings are all aspects that I found very enjoyable. Her performance kept me very engaged with the story and plot, and I felt like I was watching the real thing on the big screen.

Expereince It Blind

Overall, if you are unfamiliar with the actual story of Reality Winner, please experience this film for yourself without knowing anything about it. While the film is set in one location for the vast majority of its runtime, I found myself highly invested and deeply engaged by its style and story, and I felt like I was watching the real thing unfold before me. Sydney Sweeney’s performance as Reality was excellent across the board, and I was so engaged that I did not feel the runtime at all. Reality is a dramatic film filled with many twists and turns. It is even more uncomfortable when viewers learn it is all based on actual events.

Reality (2023) is now available on MUBI in Australia!

About the Reviewer

Peter Walkden

Film writer and curator with a deep passion for cinema, genre filmmaking, and physical media. Exploring new releases, cult favourites, and overlooked films, with a strong focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the theatrical experience.

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