Toxic (Akiplėša) is a raw and unflinching debut feature by Lithuanian director Saulė Bliuvaitė, exposing the dark undercurrents of aspiration, identity, and exploitation in post-Soviet adolescence. Premiering at the 77th Locarno Film Festival, where it won the Golden Leopard, the film follows two 13-year-old girls—Marija and Kristina—who form a volatile friendship at a local modeling school in a bleak industrial town. As they chase the illusion of glamour and escape, they are drawn into a world where beauty is currency and self-worth is dangerously negotiable.

Inspired by Bliuvaitė’s own experiences and the documentary Girl Model, Toxic blends coming-of-age drama with psychological horror, revealing how societal pressures and economic desperation push young girls to violate their bodies and boundaries. Vesta Matulytė and Ieva Rupeikaitė deliver haunting performances as the leads, navigating a landscape of bullying, parental neglect, and predatory adults.

With cinematography by Vytautas Katkus and a minimalist score by Gediminas Jakubka, the film’s stark visual language mirrors its emotional intensity. Distributed by Bendita Film Sales and nominated for the European Discovery Award at the 2024 European Film Awards, Toxic is a searing indictment of systems that prey on vulnerability—and a powerful testament to the resilience of youth caught in their grip.