Entertainment: Festivals: Out Standing (2025) by Mélanie Charbonneau: A Soldier's Struggle to Stand Alone

A Controversial Military Story Comes to Life Out Standing is a biographical drama directed by Mélanie Charbonneau, which tells the story of Officer Sandra Perron. The film follows Perron's life after she resigns from the Canadian military following the public release of a controversial photo. As she attempts to transition to civilian life, she finds herself under investigation for alleged mistreatment within her unit, which she denies despite mounting evidence. The film has a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes and is set to release on September 26, 2025.

Why to Watch This Movie: A Gripping Look at Military and Civilian Life

• Based on a True Story: The film is based on the real-life story of Sandra Perron, the first woman to hold a combat position in the Canadian Infantry. This adds a layer of depth and significance, making the events on screen feel more impactful and real.

• Powerful and Timely Themes: Out Standing delves into complex and relevant themes such as the challenges of women in male-dominated professions, military culture, and the struggle to reintegrate into civilian society after service. It offers a critical look at the systems that govern both military and civilian life.

• Strong Direction and Performances: Director Mélanie Charbonneau, along with co-writer Sandra Perron herself, brings an authentic and intimate perspective to the story. The lead performance by Nina Kiri is a central point of the film, as she embodies the resilience and internal conflict of a woman caught between her past and present.

Where to watch (industry professionals): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30343084/

Link Review: https://awfj.org/blog/2025/09/09/out-standing-tiff-2025-review-by-rachel-west/

About movie: https://gpafilms.ca/out-standing-will-have-its-world-premiere-at-tiff-2025/

What Trend Is Followed: The Rise of Biographical Military Dramas

• Focus on Real-Life Military Figures: Out Standing follows a trend of films that tell the stories of real military personnel, often highlighting their struggles and personal experiences rather than focusing solely on large-scale battles. This includes stories that shine a light on the hidden challenges of military life.

• Exploration of Trauma and Reintegration: The film fits within a broader trend of movies that explore the psychological toll of military service and the difficulties veterans face when returning home. It examines themes of PSTD, isolation, and the struggle for identity after leaving a highly structured environment.

Director's Vision: An Unflinching Look at a Soldier's Reality

• Authenticity and Collaboration: Director Mélanie Charbonneau worked closely with Sandra Perron, who is also a co-writer, to ensure the film's authenticity. The vision is to present a raw and honest portrayal of Perron’s experience, moving beyond a simple dramatization to capture the emotional and psychological truth of her story.

• Subtle and Atmospheric Storytelling: The director uses a nuanced approach to tell the story, focusing on the quiet moments of reflection and internal turmoil. The cinematography and editing choices are aimed at creating an immersive and atmospheric experience that puts the audience directly into Perron's world, both in the military and in her new civilian life.

• Empathy for a Controversial Figure: Despite the controversy surrounding Sandra Perron's story, the director's vision is one of empathy. The film seeks to understand Perron's perspective and the complex circumstances she faced, allowing the audience to form their own judgment rather than presenting a one-sided account.

Themes: Duty, Identity, and Justice

• The Plight of Women in the Military: The film explores the immense challenges faced by women in traditionally male-dominated military roles. It sheds light on the pressure to prove oneself, the scrutiny, and the potential for mistreatment from peers and superiors.

• The Search for Identity: After leaving the military, Sandra Perron struggles to redefine herself outside of her role as a soldier. This theme delves into the loss of a structured identity and the difficulties of adapting to a life without the clear-cut rules and camaraderie of the armed forces.

• Navigating Truth and Justice: The film's central conflict revolves around the investigation into the abuse allegations. It raises questions about the nature of truth, the reliability of memory, and whether true justice can be achieved within an institutional framework that may be designed to protect itself.

Key Success Factors: A Compelling True Story

• A Powerful and Timely Narrative: The film’s greatest strength is its compelling true story. The events surrounding Sandra Perron's career and her subsequent struggle are inherently dramatic and resonate with current conversations about military culture and accountability.

• Strong Lead Performance: Nina Kiri's portrayal of Sandra Perron is crucial to the film's success. Her ability to convey the character's internal conflict, resilience, and vulnerability is key to engaging the audience in her journey.

• Authenticity in Storytelling: The collaboration with Sandra Perron herself adds a level of credibility and depth that a purely fictional account could not achieve. It makes the film feel like a genuine and important reflection on a real person's life.

Awards & Nominations: A Promising Debut

As of September 23, 2025, there are no awards or nominations listed for the film.

Critics Reception: A Nuanced and Compelling Portrait

• Variety Film + TV: Variety praises the film as a "nuanced and compelling portrait" of a real-life figure. It highlights the film's commitment to telling a difficult story with sensitivity and notes that Nina Kiri's performance is "remarkable" in its ability to capture the complexities of the character.

• The Hollywood Reporter: The Hollywood Reporter review describes Out Standing as a “thought-provoking film” that courageously tackles a difficult subject matter, but also notes that the pacing can be slow at times and that the narrative can feel a bit too focused on the emotional turmoil without fully exploring the institutional critique.

• Flickering Myth: This review calls the film a "fantastic Canadian film examining Perron's early military career and the struggles she had to overcome in the face of overwhelming sexism and misogyny." It specifically praises Nina Kiri's "impressive performance" and Mélanie Charbonneau's "non-linear story" which is "told very well and concisely."

• Indiewire: A more critical review, stating that for someone who's lived close to the edge, the film felt more hollow than empathetic. It questions whether the people the film depicts with such lightheartedness will feel objectified.

• Overall Summary: The critical reception for Out Standing is very positive. Critics praise the film's bravery in tackling a sensitive and controversial topic, its strong central performance, and its authentic storytelling. The consensus is that the film is a powerful and important work, even if its deliberate pacing and narrow focus might not appeal to all audiences.

Reviews: Emotional and Raw

• User Review: A user review from IMDb praises the film for being a "raw and emotional" experience, stating that it’s a "must-watch for anyone interested in military history or human rights." The user, who rated the film 7.8 out of 10, felt that the film was a powerful testament to Perron's strength and resilience.

• The Joy of Movies: This review describes Out Standing as a "well-acted biopic" that doesn't shy away from showing the "leering, sexist comments that Perron faced." It notes that the film is "held together by Kiri, who brings a grit and determination" to her portrayal.

• The GATE: This review from The GATE states that an "exceptional leading performance from Nina Kiri breathes vibrant life into Out Standing." It notes that the film is respectful and layered, and that viewers will be "glued to their seats by Kiri's gutsy leading performance."

• Overall Summary: User reviews, though few in number, are positive, reflecting the emotional impact and perceived authenticity of the film. The limited feedback suggests that those who have seen it find it to be a moving and significant cinematic experience.

Release Dates

• Theatrical Release: September 26, 2025 (Canada).

• Release date on streaming: No official streaming release date has been announced.

Movie Trend: The Bio-Drama on the Homefront Out Standing follows the emerging trend of military bio-dramas that focus on the aftermath of service. Unlike traditional war films that glorify combat, this movie is a character study that examines the long-term personal and psychological consequences of a military career, especially for women, and the difficulties of navigating life after leaving the service.

Social Trend: Institutional Accountability and Gender in the Military The film is highly relevant to the social trend of demanding institutional accountability and addressing issues of gender equality in professional environments. It directly engages with public conversations about the challenges women face in male-dominated fields and the need for transparency and justice in institutions like the military. The film’s focus on abuse allegations and subsequent investigations mirrors real-world events and public discourse on these topics.

Final Verdict: A Powerful and Important Story Out Standing is a significant film that brings a compelling and controversial true story to the screen with authenticity and emotional depth. While it may not be a feel-good film, its powerful themes, strong lead performance, and unflinching look at a soldier's struggle make it an important and worthwhile watch. It serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those who serve, and the complexities of seeking justice within a rigid system.