Hellbent on Boogie

Solid film for a first time writer/director and actress. Was cool to see someone autistic play an autistic character. I lived in Florida for a few years and I appreciated that people sweat on screen, small detail but added lots of realism. A little slow in the beginning, but definitely picks up and is over before you know it. Breezy runtime. Enjoyed it, would recommend.

As someone who's lived almost their entire life in Florida, I feel like the vast majority of films that are set there represent it as this gross, chaotic place. Hellbent challenges that by creating a cute, quirky slice of life film that feels true to what life is for the people that live there. The cinematography has a beautiful natural look to it that captures that essence in a way that I can only compare to the kind of vintage post cards you often see in beach side thrift stores. On top of all of that finding Alyx Ruibal for the lead (her first yet!) feels like pulling a needle out of a haystack. An absolutely enrapturing performance that packs a lot of emotion into a short runtime. If you love movies like Little Miss Sunshine and Bottle Rocket you will LOVE Hellbent on Boogie!

The movie was a nice surprise, a little gem if you will. It's a touching and honest story about family, growing up, and finding your voice. Shiloh Fernandez and Alyx Ruibal have great chemistry as siblings, and their journey feels real and heartfelt. It's emotional without being too heavy, with some really moving moments. Definitely worth watching if you're into character-driven stories with a lot of heart.