Weathering Review: Weathering is a psychological-thriller short film written and directed by Megalyn Echikunwoke and stars Alexis Louder, Jermaine Fowler, Alfre Woodard, Behzad Dabu and James Tupper alongside others. The movie has a runtime of 20 minutes.
– Weathering Review Does Not Contain Spoilers –
When Gemina has a traumatic birth that ends in her baby dying, she is left devasted and starts to hallucinate within the four walls of her home. The trauma, coupled with the heartbreak, pushes her down a spiral, one that only she can pull herself out of.
Thriller short Weathering is probably every woman’s nightmare in general, but Black women’s nightmares in particular. The film highlights the struggles and heartbreak of being pregnant as a woman in this world and, well, being a woman as well. The film, in its short runtime of 20 minutes, leaves us fearing for Gemina’s safety as well as her lack of support from those around her.
It’s a harrowing watch that leaves you feeling a bit empty and wondering what is real and what is not. Let’s not forget Gemina has gone through a very traumatic experience, and living in an empty house after it can end up costing anyone their sanity a little bit. Thus, you are constantly left on edge as she goes on this journey of self-discovery and the cycle of grief and acceptance.
The film’s sharp cuts in between scenes also elevate these feelings of anxiety and paranoia. The editing and shot compositions change along with Gemina’s mental headspace, so you know exactly where you are at all times. It’s a film that not-so-subtly lets us know that protecting women, especially Black women, and giving them proper reproductive care, both before and after, is absolutely non-negotiable. That pushing away a woman’s choices and forcing them to do what others might think is right, and not taking their concerns into consideration cannot, should not and must not be the norm.
Of course, in its short runtime, things have to be done and dusted quite fast. But even then, Weathering leaves an impact and makes you think. You can’t help but feel for Gemina – it’s such a personal issue for all women, a fear that we can’t stop having. Alexis Louder, playing the role of Gemina May, is great and plays her role with determination and care. You feel the character’s desperation, fear and paranoia through the actor in every scene.
Weathering Review: Final Thoughts
Weathering is an important film that discusses the need to give Black women power – over their bodies and their lives. It’s a film that showcases the failings of the medical field, wherein Black women’s thoughts and concerns are not given any consideration and, when their concerns come true, are pushed aside and discarded as “hysterical”. All in all, it’s a good watch that will stay with you after the movie is done and dusted.
Weathering is streaming on Netflix.
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