A Review of ‘Generation Well’: An absorbing drama short on addiction and familial conflict
A troubled woman on the cusp of a life-altering event has to re-evaluate her journey.
‘Generation Well’: An absorbing drama short on addiction and familial conflict
Cast: Carly Tatiana Pandza, Mario Silva, Corey Landis, Michael Sullivan, Travis Leete, Bodhi Tabatabai, Chucho Morales, Maha Rizk, Bill Glasser
Critic’s Rating: 4 Stars out of 5
Director: Jack Serra
Duration: 17 minutes
Genre: Drama, Short
Language: English
Release: 2025
What’s it about?
A troubled woman on the cusp of a life-altering event has to re-evaluate her journey.
Review:
The theme of fighting substance and alcohol addiction gets a profound shot in the arm courtesy this compelling little drama short. Told poignantly from the perspective of an expectant mother named Stevie, this film invites the viewer to share in her torment and hope as she confronts her predicament and dreams of overcoming it. As we join this young lady on her troubled journey, we also learn of the harrowing impact of parental neglect and the vicious cycle that it triggers.
The non-linear and sometimes imagined narrative effectively captures Stevie’s thought processes which run the gamut of human emotion. Pandza’s superlative rendering of her character consistently evokes the audience’s empathy while eschewing unnecessary sensationalism. Complementing her credible acting is the deliberately paced editing and thoughtful cinematography, which in turn enhance the melancholic mood of the film.
Generation Well also vehemently explores the challenge of passing on love that one has barely received, while struggling to overcome the propensity for self-destruction. Also, is one in danger of jeopardising the wellbeing of one’s child even before it is born? Or can one glean strength by making peace with one’s estranged relatives? Also, what role and to what extent can a random support system play in inspiring change in oneself? This film communicates a lot through simple visuals and terse dialogue while also implementing physical change to mirror situational transformation.
One doesn’t need to be a recovering junkie or belong to a dysfunctional family to relate to Stevie and the handful of people in her life. But the audience is kept guessing whether self-will and resolve will vanquish personal difficulties and create a brighter tomorrow. Plus, one can’t help but note that inspiration could come from an unexpected source and rub off onto a fellow-sufferer. The film also seems to alternate between reality and enigma in a most affecting way. To idiomatically sum up the film: if the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, can it evolve from its seed into another healthier tree?
