Young English writer-director Molly Manning Walker planned it this way, with two contrasting halves. Many scenes during the second half take place in the locations that appeared in the first half, but people are now trashing things, there is rubbish strewn around the laneway, the apartments have become messier, and there are fights going on. The world on a summer vacation that was to be the last word in summer hols is suddenly grittier, darker and noticeably a lot meaner.

The narrative arc falls a little short of a synthesis of events and experiences that a third part would provide. Yet at the same time, the future for Tara (Mia McKenna-Bruce), the diminutive lead character, is left open for us to fill in, as imagined. Or hoped for.

Tara is a strong young woman, even though we have a contrary impression. Perhaps that is because of her heart-shaped face, the necklace she wears that spells "angel", and the fact that she is tiny alongside her lanky friends. Crucially, she is the only virgin among the trio of schoolfriends who take off for the beach and clubbing scene at Malia, Crete, to while away the time as they await their GCSE results.

The location may be Greece, but the schoolies context conjures up Bali, and the Gold Coast, or wherever school leavers go now. The filmmakers engaged hundreds of extras between the ages of 16 and 21 who looked British for the crowd scenes. One can only imagine.

From inside the apartment that Tara shares with besties Skye (Lara Peake) and Em (Enva Lewis) there is a view of the penile-shaped pool. The best bedroom will be allocated to the one who gets laid the most.

From pool parties in slo-mo to the frenetic dance floor, the rave scenes are terrifically well directed, shot and edited. We wouldn't expect less from award-winning Manning Walker whose filmography contains a long list of shorts and music videos for which she was cinematographer. The feeling of immersion these scenes create is immensely powerful. Nicolas Canniccioni was on the camera here, and Fin Oates edited.

While the music hammers away and the shrieks of excitement find the spaces in between, the dialogue gets a necessary helping hand from subtitles. Most of it is pretty predictable, but it needs bringing out.

On a balcony adjacent, Badger (Shaun Thomas) and Paddy (Samuel Bottomley) hang out in recovery mode for the next round.

With his outgoing personality, "hot legend lips" tatts and bleached blond hair, Badger establishes a connection with the girls quickly. Tara fancies him but in a gross pornographic scene on stage, Badger loses any desirability for her. When she wanders off, Paddy takes over. Predictably, she succumbs to his advances, and the sex is at first mutually consensual, but as soon as it is over, Paddy shows that he is unsuitable relationship material too. In a heartbreaking scene, Tara attempts to apologise to Paddy afterwards for being trashed during their tryst on the beach and he gives her a cold, blank look, declares it fine and walks off. Again.

There is no space for heartbreak or for recrimination. Tara will do as expected and party on. Heaven forbid that this defining moment and great time to end all great times should descend into malaise or unhappiness. Spoil the party? Don't even think about it.