H Is for Hawk

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H Is for Hawk

PG-13

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1h 55m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

80%

Tomatometer

89 Reviews

77%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

H is for Hawk follows Helen (Claire Foy), who, after the sudden death of her father (Brendan Gleeson), loses herself in the memories of their time birding and exploring the natural world together and turns the ancient art of falconry--rooted in European tradition--training a wild goshawk named Mabel to navigate her profound loss. But as she teaches Mabel to hunt and fly free, Helen discovers how deeply she has neglected her own emotions and life. What begins as an act of endurance transforms into an intimate journey of resilience and healing.

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Critics Consensus

Pairing Claire Foy's psychologically raw performance with lush, evocative imagery, H Is for Hawk approaches its tale of grief and acceptance with bruising realism and thoughtful candor.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

4d

It’s a career-best for Foy, who will doubtless win many awards. I hope the unnamed bird gets one too.

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Randy Myers

San Jose Mercury News

5d

3/4

Foy’s internalized performance conveys how important it is to reconcile with grief, not to abandon it nor place it on an out-of-the-way emotional shelf.

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Adam Graham

Detroit News

6d

B

It approaches its subject with respect and doesn't pretend to offer easy answers for complicated matters. Grief is difficult, as is hawk training, and Lowthorpe's film treats both with proper reverence.

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Bill Newcott

The Saturday Evening Post

2d

4/5

A scorched-earth study of self-destructive obsession; a cautionary tale of what happens when we allow our lives to feed on sorrows that are already consuming us.

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Neely Swanson

Beverly Hills Courier

3d

Claire Foy is an exceptional Helen. She lets you see all the enthusiastic promise that her character held and breaks your heart as you see her obsession take over every aspect of her life.

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Marya E. Gates

Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack)

3d

Foy gives a committed performance and I would be lying if I said the flashback scenes with her and Gleeson didn’t make cry.

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Karen K

2d

Beautiful story of falconry training and the process of grief for those we dearly love. I highly recommend this film. Claire Foy anbd Brendan Gleeson anre always outstanding!!

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Julia

3d

This movie the impact someone has on us. It shows the support of having one person who helps you move through by being with you. Helen’s friend showed what constant, nonjudgement support looks like and being present/woken up to life, it’s beauty through the hawk, Mabel. Loved it.

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Kathleen M

5d

It was a good movie just a little slow in spots. Im glad that it was based on a true story.

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Tom B

6d

Original, poignant, and, at times, compelling. I highly recommend it.

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jesse v

Jan 26

The main character really just obsessively ping pongs between remembering her father and taking care of the hawk and the movie's cinematography and music just carries it just to make it interesting. It had a great start but every plot line gets put in the back burner and then everything stops.

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M W W

Jan 25

Well written, well acted, engaging, intense, relatable.

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Philippa Lowthorpe

Director

Claire Foy

Helen

Brendan Gleeson

Actor

Denise Gough

Actor

Sam Spruell

Actor

Lindsay Duncan

Actor

H Is for Hawk: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

H is for Hawk follows Helen (Claire Foy), who, after the sudden death of her father (Brendan Gleeson), loses herself in the memories of their time birding and exploring the natural world together and turns the ancient art of falconry--rooted in European tradition--training a wild goshawk named Mabel to navigate her profound loss. But as she teaches Mabel to hunt and fly free, Helen discovers how deeply she has neglected her own emotions and life. What begins as an act of endurance transforms into an intimate journey of resilience and healing.

Director: Philippa Lowthorpe
Producer: Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner
Screenwriter: Emma Donoghue, Philippa Lowthorpe
Distributor: Roadside Attractions
Production Co: Plan B Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Smoking|Some Strong Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 23, 2026, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $147.5K
Runtime: 1h 55m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.66:1)