The Salt Path, a 2024 British biographical drama film, is a deeply emotional and scenic adaptation of Raynor Winn's bestselling 2018 memoir. Set to officially release in UK cinemas on May 30, 2025, the film stars Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs, who beautifully portray the true-life couple Raynor and Moth Winn.
Directed by Marianne Elliott in her feature directorial debut, with a screenplay by Rebecca Lenkiewicz, The Salt Path is not your typical hero’s journey. Instead, it’s a heartfelt and raw depiction of a couple facing devastating legal and health setbacks, who decide to reclaim their lives by walking the entire 630-mile South West Coast Path, the longest uninterrupted trail in England.
The Story: When Life Pushes You to the Edge
After losing their home and financial security due to a failed investment and subsequent legal trouble, Raynor and Moth are dealt another blow – a diagnosis of a rare terminal neurodegenerative disease. With nothing left, they embark on a spontaneous and soul-searching journey along the South West Coast Path, stretching from Minehead to Poole, across the scenic coastlines of Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, and Dorset.
Through thunderstorms, aching limbs, exhaustion, and emotional turmoil, the couple rediscovers connection, strength, and the healing power of nature. Along the way, they encounter colorful characters – each reflecting a fragment of the life they left behind or the wisdom they're uncovering.
Performances That Move You
Jason Isaacs delivers a grounded and tender performance as Moth, while Gillian Anderson as Raynor brings vulnerability, grit, and poetic grace to the screen. Supporting roles by James Lance, Hermione Norris, and others bring warmth and dimension to the journey.
Reviews: Divided Yet Emotional
Audience reviews highlight both praise and criticism. While some find the pacing slow and the screenplay overly meditative, others appreciate the film’s raw honesty and how it dares to break from Hollywood's classic three-act mold. The authenticity of the couple’s bond and the sheer beauty of the English coast have received universal acclaim.
One viewer said:
"As a man in his early 60s, what I saw was an authentic relationship of a middle-aged couple... support each other and rest in one another. Highly recommended if you're willing to let things unfold."
Another described it as:
“A visually poetic experience, but weighed down by a meandering screenplay and weak editing.”
Cinematic Beauty Meets Natural Majesty
The Salt Path’s on-location filming, particularly in Ilfracombe on the north Devon coast, brings the raw beauty of the landscape to life. The film visually captures the healing rhythm of the sea, skies, cliffs, and countryside – immersing the viewer in nature’s therapeutic embrace.
Final Word
The Salt Path (2024) is a poignant tale of resilience, love, and finding hope when everything is lost. While not everyone may connect with its slow, meditative tone, those who do will find a deeply moving experience about what it means to truly live – even when life seems to have ended.
Movie Details Table: The Salt Path (2024)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | The Salt Path |
| Release Date | May 30, 2025 (United Kingdom) |
| Runtime | 1 hour 55 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Biographical Drama |
| Director | Marianne Elliott (Feature Film Debut) |
| Writer (Screenplay) | Rebecca Lenkiewicz |
| Producers | Elizabeth Karlsen, Stephen Woolley, Lloyd Levin, Beatriz Levin |
| Based On | Memoir The Salt Path by Raynor Winn (2018) |
| Cast | Gillian Anderson, Jason Isaacs, James Lance, Hermione Norris, more |
| Production Companies | BBC Film, Elliott & Harper, Lipsync Productions |
| Filming Locations | South West Coast Path (Minehead to Poole), Ilfracombe (Devon) |
| Rating | 12A (UK release – edited for language) / 15 (Uncut version) |
| IMDb Rating | 7.3 (as of now) |
| Awards | 1 nomination |
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