If you can’t get enough of Rivals and want to watch some of the stars in action elsewhere, then we have the perfect treat for you this weekend in the shape of a British drama starring Claire Rushbrook.
Ali & Ava is from acclaimed writer-director Clio Barnard (The Selfish Giant, Dark River), with the Bradford-set story following the titular duo as they form a strong friendship based on a mutual love of music.
The connection develops, with the pair being transfixed by each other’s qualities. The bond is overshadowed, however, when various circumstances from each of their lives come to the forefront.
Who is in Ali & Ava?
Avali Film Ltd/Altitude Films
• Adeel Akhtar as Ali
• Claire Rushbrook as Ava
• Shaun Thomas as Callum
• Ellora Torchia as Runa
• Natalia Gavin as Dawn
• Kamal Kaan as Ashraf
What did critics say about Ali & Ava?
Altitude Films
The British drama, which premiered at the 74th Cannes Film Festival, was acclaimed upon its theatrical release in 2022, with Rotten Tomatoes currently reporting a near-perfect approval rating of 94% from 90 reviews.
“Barnard presents a type of romance that involves not escape from one’s problems but acceptance of another’s,” noted Sight & Sound, while RogerEbert.com dubbed it a “celebration of the miracle of connection”.
The Guardian hailed it as an “understated triumph” in its four-star review, adding: “It’s a drama of autumnal love conquering the divisions of race, the disillusionments of middle age, the discomfort of parenthood and grandparenthood, and the tensions of class.”
“A pair of wonderfully winning performances from Claire Rushbrook and Adeel Akhtar lie at the heart of this unexpectedly warm and typically compelling drama from British writer-director Clio Barnard,” wrote Mark Kermode for The Observer.
The Washington Post was also full of praise, opining: “What’s most satisfying about the movie is getting to know Ali and Ava separately. They’re endowed with warmth, depth and believability by Akhtar and Rushbrook.”
Where can I stream Ali & Ava?
Ali & Ava is currently available to stream in the UK on BBC iPlayer, having been added earlier this week after airing on BBC Two. You have plenty of time to catch it too, as the listing doesn’t expire for another 11 months.
You can also watch the acclaimed British drama if you happen to have either Prime Video or Mubi. Prime Video costs £8.99 per month and can be acquired through an Amazon Prime subscription, while Mubi is £11.99 a month after a seven-day free trial.
Other Claire Rushbrook movies and shows you can stream now
Disney+
Rushbrook’s most prominent role is perhaps Monica Baddingham from Rivals, and the period comedy-drama is available via Disney+. Other series such as Sherwood and A Very Royal Scandal are on BBC iPlayer and Prime Video respectively.
If you want to see the actor in some of her big screen roles such as Sky Peals or Ammonite, then you’ll need BFI Player and Lionsgate+. She also had small roles in Enola Holmes and Spider-Man: Far From Home, which are on Netflix and Prime Video respectively.
Ali & Ava is streaming on BBC iPlayer, Prime Video and Mubi.
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Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.