Her Smell

Becky Something frontlights a volatile punk band, chasing the raw electricity that once fueled their rise. The film follows her as sobriety proves slippery and self doubt grows louder than the guitar riffs. She pushes through a series of chaotic shows, studio sessions, and backroom confrontations while trying to recapture the spark that turned a garage project into a real act. Family wounds and fickle friendships complicate the road to sobriety, and Becky must decide what cost she's willing to pay for art. The danger and glamour of a touring life collide with the everyday grind of staying focused and solvent.

Released in 2019, Her Smell was directed by Alex Ross Perry and written as an original screenplay. The film foregrounds Elisabeth Moss in a demanding role, supported by Cara Delevingne, Dan Stevens, Agyness Deyn, and Gayle Rankin in a gritty ensemble cast.

Critics hailed the film as a stark look at female rage and the price of artistic hunger. Elisabeth Moss delivers a ferocious performance that makes Becky feel magnetic and dangerous. The brutal backstage dynamics and live set pieces fueled discussion about women in rock cinema. The film captures the tension between collaboration and control in a scene where a bandmate challenges Becky mid set during a frantic encore show.

Reception was mixed to positive, with praise for Moss's commitment and Perry's unflinching eye for power and dependence. The themes of addiction, fame, friendship, and artistic pressure are laid bare, presenting a portrait of a scene where spectacle and self destruction collide, leaving memory of intensity.

Awards: The film drew initial critical attention, but did not secure major nominations at the big awards ceremonies. It did, however, earn a place in discussions of 2019 indie cinema and helped elevate Elisabeth Moss's stature in performances outside mainstream prestige projects.