2025 Hit Film Finally Lands on Netflix, Critics Hail It a Masterpiece
Left-Handed Girl, a drama from Taiwan, has finally arrived on Netflix, and critics are calling it a masterpiece. The film was written, directed, and produced by Shih-Ching Tsou, with Sean Baker serving as co-writer, producer, and editor. It stars Janel Tsai as Shu-Fen, Shih-Yuan Ma as I-Ann, Nina Ye as I-Jing, and features Brando Huang, Akio Chen, and Xin-Yan Chao in supporting roles.
The movie premiered in the Critics’ Week section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on May 15. It hit French theaters on September 17 and had a limited release in the United States on November 14 before becoming available for streaming worldwide on November 28. Left-Handed Girl was also selected as Taiwan’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards.
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
The story, which Tsou co-wrote with Baker back in 2010, faced years of financial hurdles before finally going into production. Principal photography began in July 2022, and the film was notably shot entirely using an iPhone. By February, it was nearing the end of post-production.
Critics have praised the film for its heartfelt storytelling and cultural authenticity. On Rotten Tomatoes, 99% of 43 critic reviews are positive. The site’s consensus reads, “A warm tour through Taipei distinguished by its lived-in cultural specificity and relatable family dynamics, Left-Handed Girl is a winning first solo feature from writer-director Shih-Ching Tsou.” Metacritic gave it a score of 77 out of 100, indicating generally favorable reviews.
Reviewers highlighted the film’s unique focus on everyday objects and small details as part of its storytelling. One critic said, “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.” Another described it as, “An entertaining and emotionally resonant experience. Shih-Ching Tsou immerses us in a place and culture with tons of empathy and heart.”
The film also explores deeper themes of tradition, responsibility, and personal growth. As one critic noted, “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.”
With its combination of cultural depth, strong performances, and heartfelt storytelling, Left-Handed Girl has been widely praised as one of the standout films of 2025.
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