What We Hide is a stunning film with incredible emotional depth and a simple but profound narrative. It’s a dark psychological drama that unflinchingly exposes some of the darkest and most tragic parts of drug abuse and its fallout. The film features a brilliant cast, and they carry the weight of the story in a way that upholds its most heartrending elements.
Mckenna Grace stars as Spider, a 15-year-old girl who — along with her younger sister, Jessie, played by an equally talented young woman named Jojo Regina — loses her mother to a drug overdose. Recognizing their chances of being rehoused together are slim to none, the girls choose to hide their mother’s body and proceed with life as normal. But things deteriorate quickly and their challenges mount.
What We Hide Finds A Light In The Dark
While the subject matter is incredibly morose, the reality of this story is one of love. Two children, thrown into circumstances beyond their capabilities, find peace and love together while navigating a silent grief. This, combined with the intense anger Spider harbors for the mother she believes chose to abandon them, makes for a profound psychological exploration.
The film also has a surprising amount of positivity and hopeful moments.
Mckenna Grace is wonderful as always, but some of the most moving scenes in What We Hide come from young Jojo Regina. As a child who blindly trusts, follows, hopes, and believes, she becomes the heart of the story, and it’s incredible to see this young actress leave her mark on such a meaningful story.
The film has a surprising amount of positivity and hopeful moments. Spider and Jessie work together in their struggles, and as hard as things get, the bond between the sisters is incredibly sweet. These moments are balanced with their struggles to make decisions together and survive with limited resources.
What We Hide Deftly Navigates The Full Range Of Emotions
What We Hide has several challenging scenes, peeling back the curtain on its darkest moments. Despite a frankly absurd foundation, the film always feels authentic and rooted in truth. This is a testament to the writing and direction.
In a world of black and white storytelling, with heroes saving the day, this movie lives in the grey, and it dominates that space with ease and fluidity.
Everything in the film is well-balanced and believable. The relationships, visuals, dialogue, and tension are all expertly explored, with each getting room to breathe and expand. Nothing feels rushed, but it doesn’t drag either. And the stunning visuals add a romance to the piece that transcends the story.
Spider and Jessie’s story is both heartbreaking and a pleasure to experience. The way their community interacts with them — with some posing threats and others providing support — feels very human. In a world that can have very black and white storytelling, What We Hide lives in the gray, dominating that space with ease and fluidity. What We Hide deserves to get its time in the light.
