The Golden Spurtle Review (EIFF 2025)
Oatmeal, water, and salt — humble ingredients that form the backbone of a staple Scottish breakfast: porridge. Far from being a delicacy, for many Scots it’s a nostalgic upgrade from the usual cardboard-flavoured cereal, though still not in the same league as a full Scottish breakfast. Personally, I find porridge to be little more than culinary filler, its texture and taste closer to wallpaper paste than anything remotely satisfying. So, imagine my surprise when I discovered there was a worldwide porridge-making competition — and a documentary leading up to, and covering, the event — that left me both amused and bewildered. The Golden Spurtle is a beautiful and fast-paced documentary that, while not exactly my bowl of oats, I’m sure will find its audience.
In the village of Carrbridge in the Scottish Highlands, an annual porridge-making competition takes place. The Golden Spurtle follows contestants from the UK and abroad, as well as the people who make the event possible in the weeks leading up to it. This particular year is special, as it marks the final time Charlie Miller will oversee the festivities. Who will rise to the top and claim the coveted Golden Spurtle — a gold trophy shaped like the traditional utensil used to stir porridge?
What’s most striking about The Golden Spurtle is its unexpectedly gorgeous cinematography by Dimitri Zaunders. Every frame is distractingly beautiful, so meticulously composed it often feels more like a Wes Anderson feature than a documentary about porridge. This stylised aesthetic doesn’t just elevate the visuals; it also enhances the film’s comedic tone. A global porridge-making competition is, by its very nature, a little absurd — yet thanks to the presentation, you can’t help but be drawn into the story.
At 75 minutes, The Golden Spurtle is impressively well-paced, making full use of every second. Whether showcasing competitors obsessively perfecting their porridge techniques or capturing the transformation of a modest village hall into a battleground of oats, the film remains consistently engaging. Just as your attention might begin to drift, a new character enters the fray and spices up the proceedings.
The Golden Spurtle is, quite honestly, the most “okay” documentary I’ve seen in a while. It’s extremely polished and gorgeously presented, but I never became fully invested in the subject matter. Many viewers will likely fall in love with this film and find it utterly joyful. I am not one of them.
★★★
Playing as part of the 2025 Edinburgh International Film Festival /Charlie Miller, Ian Bishop, Lisa Williams, Toby Wilson, Adam Kiani / Dir: Constantine Costi / Dogwoof / U
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