Herself

Struggling to give her daughters a safe, stable home, Sandra decides to build from the ground up. Facing financial strain and bureaucratic hurdles, she rallies neighbors, friends, and strangers who believe in her dream. The project becomes more than a house; it's a lifeline that reconnects her with her own strength and dignity. As the walls rise, the community learns to lean on each other, discovering resources they didn’t know they had. The venture is as much about reclaiming identity as it is about shelter, showing that resilience can turn a fragile idea into a home. Along the way, Sandra negotiates skepticism from outsiders while teaching her children that a shared dream rests on trust, persistence, and acts of generosity.

Released in 2020, Herself is directed by Phyllida Lloyd from an original screenplay by Clare Dunne and Malcolm Campbell, with Dunne leading alongside Molly McCann and Ruby Rose O'Hara. The story blends social realism with intimate drama, and promises a hopeful, human scale.

Box office data for Herself is not widely reported, reflecting its intimate, festival-friendly release and focus on character rather than mass appeal. The film found audiences primarily through streaming, limited theatrical runs, and arthouse venues, including festival screenings that boosted visibility.

The film contributes to conversations about housing precarity and female solidarity, showing how ordinary neighbors can rally around a shared goal. Its hands-on approach to building a home and warm relationships leave a memorable impression that lingers beyond the credits. Its storytelling invites diverse viewers to connect with Sandra's quest.

Critics have noted the film's realism and its focus on resilience, motherhood, and community. It treats home as a sanctuary and a site of empowerment, balancing hardship with hopeful practical solutions that emphasize self sufficiency. Phyllida Lloyd's direction and Clare Dunne's performance give the movie an intimate pace.