Review: “The Other You”
By Morgan Roberts
Director: Shoshana Rosenbaum
Writer: Julie Gold
Stars: Beth Hylton, Vivienne Sievers, Staci Dickerson, Dennis Courtis, Kris Arnold, Jules Kanarek
Runtime: 1h 18min
Year: 2025
There are moments in our lives we simply want to get away. Work is demanding, our romantic relationships are strained, the non-stop work of being a parent becomes overwhelming. It is a universal struggle we all at face some point in our lives, and Shoshana Rosenbaum’s film, “The Other You,” explores just that. In the film, writer Annie (Beth Hylton) wants to get away. As she attempts to work on her new book, her husband Jack (Kris Arnold) is barely present as he constantly works. Their children, Scarlet (Vivienne Sievers), Wyatt (Dennis Courtis), and Sophia (Jules Kanarek), when not fighting with each other, are consistently demanding Annie’s attention. But soon, Annie discovers a tiny door in her closet that takes her seemingly perfect life.
In this alternative world, her husband is attentive, her children get along, and most importantly, she can write. It is a first time in a long while where Annie can not only put herself first, but her family supports that. The film certainly highlights the gender disparity when it comes to the labor force motherhood and who bares the brunt of the emotional labor in a heterosexual marriage. We see this woman having to navigate the uneven responsibilities of maintaining a family and household. Moreover, the film also highlights the way in which more creative fields are not usually valued. Jack’s work, though not gone into great detail, is not a creative endeavor. In her reality, Jack’s work, his livelihood is valued far more than hers. So, when she enters this alternate version of her life, to have her work and her relationship be valued by her partner feels almost revolutionary.
Kris Arnold and Beth Hylton in “The Other You”
Moreover, the film succeeds in allowing there to be a balance within this imbalance. For every character we see in one universe, we see in the other. In stands out from other films which have this subtly sci-fi element. Typically, we see these giant plot holes which can make just sitting with the piece distracting. Instead, this story device is used to elevate Annie’s struggle and how stuck she feels. The film brings it back to Annie consistently, even when Annie is not on screen.
There are moments the film has some repetition, but once it enters its third act, it really catapults its theme to a new level, integrating all facets of Annie’s life into this other dimension. “The Other You” feels quite refreshing as it looks at a specific female experience for a woman of a certain age. So often, the stories of women in their late 30s, their 40s, their 50s, etc. are not really told with the complexity and nuance here. While not every woman has motherhood or marriage in their journey, there remains a universality to the attempted confines of one’s gender. The high expectations with little reward for the emotional intelligence and perseverance can be taxing. Watching a character like Annie navigate that conflict in a way that never takes away her agency nor diminishes her needs feels like a rarity. “The Other You” spotlights this quest for fulfillment after years of patterns and behaviors which no longer serve you.
Grade: B
Pair This Film With: “Katie’s Mom” (2024) dir. Tyrrell Shaffner, “Nightbitch” (2024) dir. Marielle Heller, “Other People’s Children” (2022) dir. Rebecca Zlotwoski
“The Other You” is playing at the DC Independent Film Festival on Thursday, February 13. For tickets, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-other-you-premiere-feature-film-screening-with-cast-crew-tickets-1215507879789