In her directorial debut, Niki Byrne captains a story that hits home for nearly half of American families. The effects of substance abuse and mental health have certainly been touched on in films before, but “Evan Wood” gives audiences its own intimate look at how small towns, big cities, and broken families can bring pain and pleasure all at the same time.
Byrne’s attention to detail allows viewers to get lost in the ups and downs of the story and become attached to the characters – hoping for a specific outcome. Charlotte Louise Spencer and Alejandro Lopez have penned a phenomenal script, often feeling very meta, as you’re watching a story unfold about a talented writer digging deep within herself to tell an honest tale.
Spencer leads the cast as Rachel Wood: A college student struggling to write her thesis who reluctantly returns home after her grandmother’s death. Jere Burns (“Angie Tribeca,” “Breaking Bad”) plays Timothy Phillips, her college professor who gently guides her to confront her demons and lay them all out on paper.
Soon after Rachel returns home, we meet Jessica Wood [Amy Walker] and Adam Wood [Michael Parr] – her aunt and uncle. The mention of Evan pops up pretty early, leaving us unaware of the nature of their relationship. Before Rachel heads home, we see her in a contentious relationship with boyfriend Mike [MacCallister Byrd], reinforcing that maybe Rachel’s taste in men may not be the best.
The story doesn’t immediately veer into Rachel’s romantic life, as secrets begin to unravel about her family that (as pointed out) have her more exhausted and distracted than worrying about love. Rachel’s relationship with her aunt and uncle is strained at the onset, largely due to her brother – Evan. Evan Wood, played by Alex Sorian Brown, has his own demons to unpack. Struggling to finish high school, he has suffered immensely since their mother’s overdose and has been spending a lot of time with his friend/girlfriend Faith [Rylee Marshall], leading him down a sadly familiar path.
While Rachel may have left small-town life to start over in the big city, and you think her choice is about saving her family or saving herself, the message soon becomes abundantly clear: No matter how far you go, you can’t outrun your past. As she realizes this, Rachel’s relationships are tested, and the idea that how you navigate the present will dictate your future becomes a reality she’s forced to face.
Trevor Stines (“Riverdale”) adds another layer to this as Josh Richards: Rachel’s high school love and longtime friend of the family. When he comes into play, it raises the question of whether Rachel maybe would be better off at home. Should she come back to build on the relationships with the people she loves? Or should she build a relationship with herself, away from the painful situations that made her who she is? The beauty of this movie is that, true to life, things aren’t always what they seem.
While it feels like it should be predictable, “Evan Wood” is anything but. In the end, it seems less about the decisions Rachel is left to make and more about how she handles the choices made by those she loves.
“Evan Wood” takes an honest look at how substance abuse and mental health effects those we love. The script is superb, and the cast, under the direction of Byrne, coats the story with richly developed characters that you quickly get attached to. Charlotte Louise Spencer is captivating as Rachel Wood. Both Alex Sorian Brown and Trevor Stines give the film that unpredictability factor that makes it so enticing.
“Evan Wood” showcases catharsis in a way that only independent films can. It’s touching, endearing, thought-provoking, and unafraid to touch on matters that call attention to the uncertainty of life. It’s a story about family, struggle, and self-discovery. You’ll shed some tears and maybe walk away a little more inspired to create the life you want.
“Evan Wood” will be released worldwide on TVOD on May 10.
