One of 2025’s Best Films Arrives on Netflix, Critics Call It a Masterpiece
The 2025 Taiwanese drama film Left-Handed Girl is now streaming on Netflix after a successful festival and limited theatrical run. Written, directed, and produced by Shih-Ching Tsou, the film stars Janel Tsai, Shih-Yuan Ma, Nina Ye, Brando Huang, Akio Chen, and Xin-Yan Chao. Sean Baker, known for his own acclaimed films, contributed as co-writer, producer, and editor.
Left-Handed Girl is now playing on Netflix. Directed by Shih-Ching Tsou and written and produced by Shih-Ching Tsou and Sean Baker.
— xᴉlɟʇǝu (@netflix) November 28, 2025
A mother and her two daughters move to Taipei to open a noodle stand, but family secrets and tradition test their fresh start. Starring Shih-Yuan… pic.twitter.com/PVvjV1u3dm
Left-Handed Girl premiered at the Critics’ Week section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on May 15 and later hit theaters in France on September 17. It had a limited release in the United States on November 14 before becoming available on Netflix on November 28. The film has also been selected as Taiwan’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards.
The story follows Shu-Fen (Janel Tsai) and I-Ann (Shih-Yuan Ma) as they navigate personal and family challenges, highlighting everyday life in Taipei. Critics have praised the film for its authenticity and emotional depth.
On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 99% approval rating, with reviewers noting that it offers “a warm tour through Taipei distinguished by its lived-in cultural specificity and relatable family dynamics.” Metacritic gave the film a score of 77 out of 100, signaling generally favorable reviews.
Critics highlighted both the film’s cultural and emotional resonance. One review stated, “Tradition and responsibility are complex concepts and our actions don’t occur in a vacuum. Who we are should mean more than who we ‘should be.’ Mistakes happen. It’s how you respond that matters.” Another commented, “In Left-Handed Girl, the main characters aren’t just the actresses in the leading roles. There’s also the scooter I-Ann rides and the table Shu-Fen makes her noodles on.”
Additional praise included, “An entertaining and emotionally resonant experience. Shih-Ching Tsou immerses us in a place and culture with tons of empathy and heart,” and “For all of its cultural probing and shocking revelations by the finale, the characters and their relationships matter the most in Left-Handed Girl.”
The film’s production has an interesting history. The script, co-written by Tsou and Baker, dates back to 2010, but funding challenges delayed the project for over a decade. Filming finally began in July 2022, using an iPhone, and post-production wrapped up by early 2025.
Left-Handed Girl has quickly become a standout of the year, praised for its combination of heartfelt storytelling and cultural authenticity. Its portrayal of everyday life in Taipei resonates with audiences and critics alike, making it one of the most talked-about films of 2025.
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