- Eva Victor transitions from viral comedy to indie film with a deeply personal directorial debut.
- Sorry, Baby tackles trauma with subtlety, humour, and emotional realism.
- Backed by Barry Jenkins and A24, the film premiered to acclaim at Sundance 2024.
Eva Victor, known for their clever and viral social media comedy, has stunned the film world with Sorry, Baby—a debut feature that subverts expectations with its gentle, honest portrayal of trauma and healing.
Written during a solitary winter retreat, Sorry, Baby tells the story of a graduate student navigating the emotional aftermath of an assault. It resists sensationalism in favour of intimate storytelling, focusing on everyday moments, friendship, and nonlinear recovery.
From Tweets to Tenderness: Eva Victor’s Sorry, Baby Is the Debut We Didn’t Know We Needed
Victor’s creative journey began in San Francisco and matured at Northwestern University, where they studied playwriting. After college, they gained recognition through sketch comedy, writing for Reductress, and a recurring role in Showtime’s Billions. Their distinct comedic tone caught the attention of industry veterans, including Adele Romanski, who described Victor’s work as “obsessive viewing.”
When Jenkins suggested that Victor was already directing through their videos, a light switched on. To prepare for the leap, Victor shadowed filmmaker Jane Schoenbrun on set, gaining critical insight into the mechanics of directing. This mentorship helped Victor grow the confidence to lead their own team and vision.
The film’s heart lies in its refusal to dramatize trauma for the sake of plot. Instead, Victor leans into the mundane—sandwiches, hospital visits, missed calls—to illustrate how survivors often move through life in fragmented, beautiful, and painful steps. The friendship between Victor’s character and Ackie’s Lydie is particularly resonant, offering audiences a portrayal of support without heroics.
After premiering at Sundance, where it earned a screenwriting award and rapturous praise, Sorry, Baby was quickly acquired by A24. Among the high-octane titles of the season, Victor’s film arrives as a quiet revolution—an introspective gem that connects through empathy rather than spectacle.
Eva Victor’s debut proves that sometimes the softest voice resonates the loudest. With Sorry, Baby, they’ve offered cinema something rare: a funny, fragile, and fiercely original perspective.
“What happens when people open their hearts? They get better.” — Haruki Murakami
