Greetings again from the darkness. Writer-director Tessa Blake and screenwriter Jennifer Manocherian have adapted Lisa O’Donnell’s 2014 novel, “Closed Doors”, and set the story in small town Minnesota rather than Scotland. This relocation works beautifully thanks to the contrast of the wide-open natural spaces of Boundary Waters with the claustrophobic nature of family life. Parents are tasked with a balancing act: protecting kids with teaching them, while also maintaining our own peace of mind. Where is the line between being honest with kids and protecting them from situations that are beyond their age bracket?
Michael (Etienne Kellici, YOU GOTTA BELIEVE, 2024) is a normal twelve-year-old who likes playing with his group of friends and enjoying the freedom that comes with small town living. Michael is also a perceptive kid, and he’s spotted a shift in his once close-knit family. His dad Brian (Bill Heck, “The Old Man”) is struggling with his unemployment to the point of it affecting his daily moods and his family relationships. Michael’s mom Rosemary (Allison Miller, “A Million Little Things”, and a young Linda Purl lookalike) is loving and kind, while Granny (Carol Kane) is a trusted family elder living with them.
Michael’s initial concerns shoot to another level one evening when his mother comes home late, and he hears his parents arguing behind closed doors. His concern grows again when he sees mom’s face is injured and she’s a bit withdrawn. The adults tell Michael not to worry, but of course, he does. When Rosemary stays silent, rumors circulate around town, adding even more stress to the family. Michael’s best friend Alice (Kennedi Butler, “True Detective”) lost her mother a year ago, and now she’s faced with her dad re-marrying, providing her a ‘new mom’. These kids take on the stress of the parents … and no amount of silence will protect them.
The film is such a grounded display of just how complicated life can be … even in a bucolic small town, and even for twelve-year-olds. As Michael jumps to conclusions while trying to solve the mystery, Rosemary’s decision soon delivers a wave of guilt, showing just how difficult personal decisions can be – and how the impact can go far beyond one’s own nuclear family. These five actors are all excellent at capturing the essence and internal turmoil of the characters, and how the desire to protect kids is often at odds with honesty and openness.
Opening in select theaters nationwide on August 27, 2026
Posted by David Ferguson 
Movie Reviews from the Dark 