Our Happy Place

I saw this at a festival in Los Angeles a couple of weeks ago and thought it was fabulous and thought-provoking - Definitely something that encouraged discussion afterward with friends. More of a heady piece with a couple of legit jump scares.

There was a Q&A with the couple who made it in their actual cabin during COVID and it was even more impressive. Granted the writer/director co-lead has directed before and work in the industry but it was still really shot so well with special effects that I was shocked to find out were not computer generated.

This was a good time and a welcome adventure with true filmmaking.

A love-letter to horror, imagination, and the passion & persistence of filmmaking. While most of us were doomscrolling, and getting fat during the pandemic, two people were giving their all to this film, literally doing everything in front, and behind the scenes. It's gorgeous, scary, emotional, and makes every short film I've made seem lazy. There's a routine to the plot, which can trap some films in monotony, but Raya's performance kept me consistently fascinated. Tracie Thoms Pops-in occasionally to deliver much-welcomed laughs and a dose of reality, for the characters, and for our own pandemic PTSD.

OUR HAPPY PLACE!!!!!

This psychological thriller definitely deserves being ranked in Horror Genre. It touches on real-life tragedies and complex feelings with all to relatable characters.

The performances are great and deeply unsettling at times.

Featuring witty comedic bits, gorgeous cinematography. As well as the sound well music in it was very engaging, thrilling, and beautifully orchestrated!

The Film makers style is superb Paul Bickel has created such a great feature with his awesome skills.

You are in for a real treat with this one, keeping you engaged on every level to the end.

Is this another movie to add on your Christmas Movie List?

Saw this movie at a screening in LA and was blown away by it! The actors in it give incredible performances, the script is thrilling and captivating and it'll keep you on the edge of your seat! Bonus: the music composed for it accompanies the movie to perfection. A brilliant mix of fear, laughter and emotional journey. Visually stunning, especially after learning that the actors filmed it themselves, WOW. Everyone in the cast is amazing, from the lead couple, to their best friends, to the missing girls and the new couple at the end. I hope this movie gets the attention and platform it deserves! And if you're hesitating, don't, just watch it...!

Our Happy Place is a haunting and unforgettable psychological horror thriller that delves into the emotional isolation and underlying fears brought to the surface during the COVID-19 pandemic. Set against the eerie backdrop of lockdown life, the film follows a couple, Raya Miles and Paul Bickel, as they navigate an unraveling reality that becomes increasingly disturbing.

What makes Our Happy Place particularly compelling is not just its chilling narrative, but the extraordinary dedication behind its creation. Written, directed, and performed by real-life couple Miles and Bickel, the film was conceived and brought to life entirely during the pandemic. With a remarkably small crew, the pair handled everything from scripting and acting to filming and composing the original score. Their artistic commitment and versatility shine through every frame, adding layers of intimacy and authenticity to an already gripping story.

This is not just a horror film-it is a bold artistic endeavor that uses minimalism and psychological tension to evoke maximum fear. With its creative ingenuity and deeply unsettling atmosphere, Our Happy Place stands out as a powerful example of pandemic-era filmmaking and a reminder of how true art often emerges from the most challenging times.