Alex (Bethany Brown) has been abandoned in the woods by her boyfriend Joey (Chris McNally). After his cliffside proposal ended with rejection, Joey quietly packs up his things and drives off. A disoriented and now injured Alex is found by a couple camping nearby. Known as the newlywed bank robbers, Kianna (Tandia Mercedes) and Matt (Cody Kearsley) are on the run from authorities. Eschewing a life of responsibility, they amass millions from their crimes and hide out in the Canadian wilderness to escape the trappings of capitalism. Alex is instantly drawn to the couple, especially Kianna with whom she develops a romantic bond. When Matt’s abuse escalates, Alex and Kianna plot an escape.
“A Safe Distance is a feminist reframing of the classic ‘lovers on the run’ story that asks as many questions as it answers. It’s about a woman’s decision to shirk society’s expectations in favour of a life of crime and sexual liberation, and how that decision sets off a chain reaction of events that will change her life forever.”
— Gloria Mercer, Director’s Statement
A sexy psychological thriller with a hypnotic slow burn, A Safe Distance will have you hooked from the very beginning. Directed by Gloria Mercer and written by Aidan West, this film is an expansion on the short film by the same name released in 2021. In a feature length format, it can take its time conveying the resiliency of women when faced with the trappings of patriarchy. I appreciated the film’s focus on the female characters and how the two male protagonists were almost interchangeable in their appearance. This will be of particular interest in anyone looking for sapphic stories. It also fits into the subgenre of “be gay, do crime” and in the ongoing conversations about alpine divorce. Catch this one if you can!
A Safe Distancehad its world premiere at the 2026 SXSW Film & Television Festival.
“Jamie… I thought you were going to stop being an idiot.”
After a stint in jail, 40-something wild child Jamie (Susan Kent) returns home only to find herself locked out of her own house. Facing a battle with her equally irresponsible mom Anne (Robin Duke) over her beloved grandmother’s estate, Jamie is determined to get the house back. She enlists her loser boyfriend Davey Danger (Dan Petronijevic) to help her break into the house. But he’s too busy thinking about getting laid to actually help. Her self-absorbed best friend Laura (Emma Hunter) lets her stay at her penthouse loft much to the chagrin of her husband Steve (Jonathan Torrens). When the neglected Steve gets a bit too involved in Jamie’s life, her world starts to spiral. Can Jamie get back on her feet and reclaim what’s rightfully hers?
Directed by Jenna MacMillan and written by Susan Kent, The Snake is a quirky coming-of-middle-age story with a satisfying redemption arc. Kent plays just the sort of flawed protagonist we’re seeing more of in cinema: self-destructive women in an emotional battle for survival. Jamie’s crazy antics are balanced out with the heartwarming message about chosen family and the healing power of dogs. Robin Duke (Schitt’s Creek) who is delightfully deranged as the problematic mother and she steals the show whenever she’s on screen.
The eccentric cast of characters add spice to Jamie’s story but there are too many of them. Characters like the best friend’s son and the twin duo Captain Stink could have easily been cut. I also would have liked to have seen more scenes with prison guard Theresa (Kim Roberts) and drag queen/bar owner Jimbo (Bon Bon Scott) as they add more emotional weight to Jamie’s story.
The Snake had its world premiere at the 2026 SXSW Film & Television Festival. It’s a Canadian production filmed on Prince Edward Island and with support from Telefilm Canada and the Prince Edward Island Film Fund. It was recently picked up for distribution by Game Theory Films.
Rana (Medalion Rahimi) is working as a caretaker for a wealthy family in Cape Cod when she impulsively agrees to get married for a green card. She’s been hooking up with her boss Rebecca’s (Joey Lauren Adams) son Adam (Logan Miller) and they both agree to throw a small wedding at the home. Rana invites her two best friends, who are the closest she has to family as her mother still resides in Iran, to the event. Setareh (Laya Mohammadi) is a lawyer who is struggling to come to terms with her boyfriend Pat’s (Richie Moriarty) change in career. Nadia (Dalia Rooni) is a fitness coach who is in a loving relationship with Ryan (Michael Bazsler) but is too strong-willed to take the next step with him. The trio come together to both celebrate and commiserate. Alternately speaking in English and Persian, they discuss Rana’s big decision while also grappling with their own romantic futures.
Among the cast of characters at the beach house is Malena (Lauren Noll ), Adam’s attractive lesbian half-sister who has Setareh questioning her sexuality. Siddartha (Kevin Neal), a kooky spiritual guide and personal advisor to Rana, is as eager to officiate the ceremony as he is to collect the Venmo payment for his services.
Credit: Nathaniel Krause
Directed by Lauren Noll and written by Dalia Rooni, Same Same But Different is a modern day romantic comedy that has all the charm of its mainstream counterparts with more dynamic and realistic characters. At the heart of this movie is a story about a friendship, one that is tightly bonded in culture and that thrives on mutual love and understanding. The movie does take a bit too long to establish the characters and loses momentum in the beginning. But stick with it because once it picks up and proceeds at delightful pace with a satisfying payout.
Same Same But Different is based on a true story. In a Q&A screenwriter Dalia Rooni (who also plays Nadia in the film) says,
“this story was inspired by a real weekend that I now see as the turning point of my life. I was invited to a spontaneous wedding on Cape Cod, where my free-spirited foreign friend married a man she had only been dating for a short time…Alongside the joy, there was something else, something that felt almost like grief. For the first time, I understood what it meant to lose my innocence. I felt the quiet, painful threshold of becoming a woman.”
Movies like Same Same But Different demonstrate what the world of indie filmmaking has to offer: vibrant and unique stories that audiences have been craving.
Same Same But Different had its world premiere at the 2026 SXSW Film and Television Festival.
Molli (Zosia Mamet), a seventh-level space witch, meets Max (Aristotle Athari), a half-human, half-fishman, and the two hit off. Sort of. Over the span of twelve years, this pair of quirky and emotionally scarred lovebirds take us on a journey of their will-they-or-won’t-they romance. They meet up, they bond, they fight, then they part ways only to do the whole process all over again in the next intergalactic chapter. With each meeting their romantic feelings for each other deepen, possibly threatening the growing friendship they both hold dear. Along the way, Molli joins and escapes a cult, Max becomes a majorly hated celebrity and spokesperson for the soda Glorp and the two spend much of their efforts finding a romantic bond with others in their orbit. All the while, the world faces imminent destruction as the consumption of cheese will lead to the creation of a black hole that will swallow the universe. Will Molli and Max finally fall in love before everything ends?
Directed by Michael Lukk Litwak, Molli and Max in the Future is the perfect blend of romantic drama and space comedy. This indie gem is charming, visually engaging and just plain fun. Mamet and Athari are charismatic and fit beautifully in this alternative universe.
Molli and Max in the Future does a lot visually without the big studio budget. Even viewers like myself who aren’t drawn to sci-fi stories, will find a lot to enjoy with this one.
24 Hours After Reading Tuesdays with Morrie Director: Scott Tinkham Grappling with one’s mortality can feel like being punched in the face. A bit disjointed but I appreciated how it embodied an existential panic attack.
Baba I’m Fine Director: Karina Dandashi Sweet story about a dad cheering up his teenage daughter after her breakup. Fun emo musical framing.
Ben’s Sister Director: Emma Weinswig
Set in 2015 before a massive cultural shift took hold in America, this drama focuses on bored teens manipulating each other for the sake of a “scav hunt”. Not for everyone but intriguing time capsule nonetheless.
Brief Somebodies Director: Andy Reid
Imaginative short examines the awkwardness of acting out intimate scenes. I enjoyed how this film examined how the two actors compartmentalize their characters and their real attraction to each other.
Entre Tormentas Director: Fran Zayas
Quiet but powerful drama about a man on a mission to bring back the body of his brother who recently committed suicide. Drives home the message that we need to care for one another even someone dies.
Grandma’s Four Color Cards Director: Sally Tran
Beautifully evokes the privilege of living a long life but also the daily struggle to keep going. Lovely performance by the 101 year old actress. Note to self: “a talking frog will bring good luck to your life.”
How Was Your Weekend? Director: Cam Banfield
Corporate culture turns sinister when a worker dares to go off script when asked the question “how was your weekend?” Great concept and execution. Anyone with experience in the corporate world will relate to the pressure of maintaining office pleasantries especially when you don’t feel like it.
I’m The Most Racist Person I Know Director: Leela Varghese
A sweet lesbian romance between two POC women. This honest exploration of internalized racism framed within a beautiful love story is quite restorative.
Max Distance Director: Marissa Goldman
A quirky comedy about isolation in the Zoom age and the awkwardness of dating. A bit aimless but nonetheless enjoyable.
Nervous Energy Director: Eve Liu
“Let’s make beautiful films.” Sometimes as a woman you need to get rid of negative energy to focus on your creative life. Cathartic. Intense.
One Day This Kid Director: Alexander Farah
A young Arab Muslim’s life as a gay man comes in direct conflict with his conservative upbringing. Stunning film about breaking and mending familial ties. Powerful performance by the lead actor who plays the adult Hamed.
Out for Delivery Director: Chelsea Christer
A dying woman arranges the delivery of her death with dignity medication and the pickup of her remains but mishaps get in the way. This dark comedy handles a delicate subject through an absurdist lens and demonstrates how automation removes the humanity from our collective experiences.
The Sentry Director: Jake Wachtel
A murdered guard in Cambodia haunts the spy who killed him. I always appreciate when a short film can take one small trope and expand upon it. This film morphs from action thriller to buddy comedy to tenderhearted drama in the most satisfying way.
The Singers Director: Sam Davis
A regular night at the dive bar turns into an impromptu singing competition. Evokes the idea that we never really know what talents lie within others. It has a beautiful slow build and will make you tear up by the end.
Strangers in the Same Shirt Director: Anthon Chase Johnson
Common enemies (their dad, high school teacher Mrs. Abbott, tiresome wedding guests) unite estranged half-siblings at their dad’s third wedding. Seemingly simple story but with unexpected layers and a rather satisfying buildup.
Synthesize Me Director: Bear Damen
A daughter dealing with the aftermath of her mother’s death reconnects with her memory by playing with her synthesizers much to her father’s dismay. Aptly depicts the danger of taking unregulated emotions out on the vulnerable.
Unholy Director: Daisy Friedman
A young woman struggles at a family Passover Seder now that she can only eat through a feeding tube. The situation is particularly tenuous because food is such an integral part of the Jewish culture and makes the protagonist feel “unholy”. Superb little film. Audiences will find the painful awkwardness of family gatherings is so relatable.
WassupKaylee Director: Pepi Ginsberg
The emotionally distant Kaylee @WassupKaylee joins a content house and forms a tenuous connection with another creator. The film depicts the content creators’ startling disconnect with reality and gives us a glimpse into a space where constant performance is expected and vulnerability is not.
Yú Cì (Fish Bones) Director: Kevin Xian Ming Yu
A non-binary Asian-American reconnects with their closeted father after a fishing incident. This quiet slice-of-life movie says a lot with a little.
