Sundance: Directed by "Challengers" actress Hailey Gates, "Atropia" gives the War on Terror it's own take on "The Truman Show."

It isn’t the greatest satire ever made, but Gates’ feature is like a one-stop shop for mockery and education with some fun in between.

In writer-director Hailey Gates' directorial debut 'Atropia', she dives into the Bush-era culture of toxic masculinity, nationalism and Islamophobia.

Atropia, Hailey Gates' scattered debut feature, is based on a city invented by the American military to train cadets. That the United States erects role-playing facilities tasked with strengthening combat operations - at home or abroad - isn't surprising.

Set in a fake town, Hailey Gates’ feature debut 'Atropia,' premiering at Sundance, has fun, insightful ideas, though it seldom expands on them.

Atropia': How Callum Turner & Alia Shawkat Found A Soul Connection In Hailey Gates' War Satire - Sundance Studio

Hailey Gates turned her Miu Miu "Women's Tales" short film into a Sundance feature, starring Alia Shawkat and Callum Turner.

Callum Turner desperately wants to be bleeped, and Alia Shawkat's mother feared she couldn't act. Hailey Gates' new film pops.

Prime Video is losing one of the most shocking thriller movies I’ve ever seen. Here’s why you need to stream “Green Room” before it leaves.

Hailey Gates expands on her short to disappointing results, despite the best efforts of Alia Shawkat and Callum Turner

Although she has starred in a number of high profile projects, Alia Shawkat has managed to firmly wall off her dating life from scrutiny.

While the Sundance Film Festival mulls a big move for 2027 , the 2025 program is under way. The event’s 41st edition kicked off January 23 in Utah, and you can look below for all of Deadline’s reviews from the fest so far.