Tuesday (2024) is a fantasy dark comedy-drama directed by Daina O. Pusić in her feature debut. The film stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Zora, a mother grappling with the impending loss of her terminally ill 15-year-old daughter, Tuesday, portrayed by Lola Petticrew. The narrative introduces Death as a shape-shifting macaw, voiced by Arinzé Kene, who arrives to guide Tuesday through her final moments. Rather than fearing this entity, Tuesday forms an unexpected bond with the bird, engaging in conversations that blend humor and profundity, including moments where Death raps Ice Cube’s “It Was a Good Day” and partakes in vaping cannabis.

Zora, entrenched in denial, struggles to accept her daughter’s fate and confronts Death in a series of surreal and emotionally charged encounters. The film delves into themes of mortality, grief, and acceptance, employing magical realism to explore the complexities of a parent’s love and the inevitability of loss. Louis-Dreyfus delivers a performance of breathtaking vulnerability, anchoring the film’s eccentricities with authenticity and depth. Despite some tonal inconsistencies, “Tuesday” is commended for its creative risks and distinctive vision, offering a poignant meditation on the human condition.