A horny, humid night in the woods where tension swims deeper than the lake.
A night in the woods, and its aftermath, helps Otter with a major life decision. He's a high school senior, hanging out with Darby - the local alpha male - and Darby's girlfriend Amber. Their public displays of affection irritate Otter.
Acting
Steggert's silent devastation—eyes doing everything dialogue won't.
Direction
Falcone lets discomfort breathe; no relief, no release.
Director
Daniel Falcone
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Shot on 35mm in rural Massachusetts, Falcone based this on his own teenage summers—explaining why the discomfort feels lived-in rather than performed.
Frankie Shaw (Amber) later created SMILF; this early role shows her specialty in women trapped by men's projections. The car that strands them? Belonged to cinematographer Jody Lee Lipes, who'd later shoot Manchester by the Sea.
US
