Suzie Miller’s 2019 play Prima Facie is being adapted for the screen and will premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The play centers on Tessa, a criminal defense lawyer who becomes the accuser in a rape case, and was originally performed by a single actor. The film version, starring Cynthia Erivo, brings the story to the big screen with a different approach. Unlike the stage production, which relied on a single performer to portray Tessa’s thoughts and experiences through monologues, the film version requires Erivo to interact with other actors and portray events in real time, rather than through memory or reflection. Directed by Susanna White, the film has been described by some critics as a more conventional take on the issue of sexual assault. While the play used the unique format of a single actor to highlight the emotional and psychological toll on Tessa, the film version has been noted for moving away from that style. Some have suggested that this shift has diminished the original play’s powerful impact, which relied heavily on the intensity of a solo performance. The film follows Tessa as she is raped by her colleague and lover, Julian, and then reports the incident to the police. This decision places her in a difficult legal and social position, as her motives and character are questioned during the trial. However, some critics have pointed out that the film lacks the depth and complexity of the original play, with flat direction and a narrative that feels less engaging and more straightforward. As the film seeks distribution, its reception has been mixed. While it brings attention to the important topic of sexual assault and the challenges faced by survivors, some viewers and critics feel it falls short of the emotional and narrative power of the stage version. The adaptation highlights the challenges of translating a unique theatrical experience to the cinematic medium.