Naked18

Directed by Mike Leigh | UK | 1993 | 2h 6m | Starring David Thewlis, Lesley Sharp, Katrin Cartlidge, Greg Cruttwell, Peter Wight

Drifting through the nocturnal streets of London, the abrasive and articulate Johnny unleashes a torrent of nihilistic philosophy as he collides with a series of desperate, damaged lives. Directed by Mike Leigh (Secrets & Lies, Hard Truths), Naked is a raw, confrontational portrait of urban alienation in Thatcher’s Britain, anchored by David Thewlis’s ferocious, career-defining performance. Remastered in 4K from the BFI National Archive.

Bleak Week 2026: Cinema of Despair

Reviews

‘This is a movie of virtuoso nihilism and scorn.’
★★★★★ Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

‘This is the greatest David Thewlis performance, in one of the greatest Mike Leigh films.’
★★★★★ Kevin Maher, The Times

Book tickets

Monday 22 June

 8.30pmBook tickets
Wednesday 24 June

 2.45pmBook tickets

What else is on?

Today (Friday 12th June)
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15:15

The Christophers 15
1h 40m
A reclusive London artist (Ian McKellen) becomes the target of a scheme by his estranged children, who recruit a young painter (Michaela Coel) to infiltrate his home and uncover hidden works. Steven Soderbergh’s darkly comic chamber piece explores deception, legacy and artistic value.

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17:45

Backrooms 15
1h 45m
When a patient vanishes through a strange basement doorway of a furniture showroom, his therapist follows him into a disorienting dimension. Expanding Kane Parsons’ cult online series, this feature-length adaptation stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve and bringing “liminal horror” to the big screen.

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20:15

Fairyland 15
1h 56m
Set in San Francisco from the 1970s to 1980s, this drama follows a father and daughter navigating bohemian life and social change as their bond is tested by the AIDS crisis. Adapted from Alysia Abbott’s memoir, it’s a tender coming-of-age story of love and resilience.

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23:00

Army of Darkness 15
1h 21m
To celebrate 10 amazing and chaotic years of Oxford’s underground, gonzo movie night, Cinema Under the Stairs, the gang bring Sam Raimi’s Army of Darkness to the UPP for a special evening of midnight movie mania. Book now to avoid disappointment. GROOVY!

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Tomorrow (Saturday 13th June)
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14:45

Eagles of the Republic 15
2h 8m | Arabic w/ English subtitles
Under pressure from Egyptian authorities, an actor reluctantly stars in a state-backed film, only to become entangled in a dangerous affair with a general’s wife. Award-winning filmmaker Tarik Saleh (The Nile Hilton Incident) delivers a satirical political thriller set amid corruption in Cairo.

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17:45

The Lodger PG
+ Live Score
1h 30m
A serial killer is on the loose in London and a detective is assigned to the case. Viola player and filmmaker Hugo Max presents his fourth UK tour accompanying Alfred Hitchcock’s 1927 silent masterwork The Lodger with live score.

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20:15

Backrooms 15
1h 45m
When a patient vanishes through a strange basement doorway of a furniture showroom, his therapist follows him into a disorienting dimension. Expanding Kane Parsons’ cult online series, this feature-length adaptation stars Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve and bringing “liminal horror” to the big screen.

Book here


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Plan your visit

Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road.We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We only show a few adverts – less than most cinemas – and we only play a couple of trailers, so please don’t be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!

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