User reviews

I loved this movie-the characters are so relatable in their beautiful messiness. The intimacy of the script and camera work really drew me in. It also does this amazing thing: manages to show vulnerability, deeply emotional processes and be hilarious.

The characters are well developed and so well-acted; I definitely felt like I went on a journey with them My 16 yr old son and husband came to see this movie with me and found it relatable as well- no pigeonholing this movie as a chick flick!

I so hope this movie can be available for more folks to see and for me to see again.

As another reviewed said it is a the antidote to toxic positivity and cynicism. I couldn't agree more.

This movie is a rare treasure. Yes, I laughed and cried. It's reminiscent of "The Breakfast Club" - a group of archetypes together. We have the "aggressive progressive," the mom who's never taken the time to be her own person, the sexually-liberated one into crystals, the free-spirit and rules-follower sister duo, and the culture- appropriating yoga teacher. I'm a middle-aged woman (hence the John Huge reference) and I've been through many self-help rounds depicted here. It was cathartic to be able to laugh at them without feeling laughed at. Because what this film does incredibly well is show that we're all more complex than any caricature, and just trying to do the best we can. The cinematography and soundtrack are beautiful- but a warning to any fellow vertigo warriors that sometimes the quick camera movements can be triggering. I was very fortunate to see the directors/writers along with many cast members interviewed at the Independent Film Festival and was so inspired to learn about the movie's cooperative creative structure. Unpacking guides us, gently and without being preachy, towards a better way.

I enjoyed this film very much. It was like a book page turner . The way each of the characters personalities unfold is well done in the context of a retreat setting . Made me laugh and choke up . I thought the ending seemed a little abrupt but I think they were going for that. They touched upon the woo woo aspect of the retreats methods but still selling the idea that there was merit into the experience. Each character brought their own story to the retreat and the writers expertly wove the stories into a cohesive whole . This film could be a boom to the retreat vaacation business! More from this group!

We were lucky enough to see the world premier of "Unpacking" in October of 2022, and we were truly blown away. The film has the perfect balance of gravity and levity, and just the right mix of drama and laugh-out-loud moments. It's so refreshing to see dynamic, complex portrayals of female characters - and so well acted, as well. The making of the film is fascinating in and of itself, and the organic and spontaneous nature of the production is evident in the natural feel and effortless flow of the film. I'm thrilled that the film has been doing so well - deservedly so - and can't wait to see what else the team creates in the future!

As a 30-something woman, I deeply relate to so many of the issues brought up in this film, and I appreciated how direct & authentic the script brought out real life scenarios. I also found it so endearing and comedic - awkward and silly in some parts, and hilariously accurate to the less than perfect moments we all face in life. All emotions wrapped up into an hour and a half. Great acting, and I loved the soundtrack! I was lucky enough to see this on the big screen for their world premiere showing! I look forward to seeing these faces and names in future features - and I wish the whole team, cast & crew, wildly successful careers in the film industry!!

Such a great experience watching this film! I thought it was going to be a mindless "female" oriented film. It was so much more. The writing, acting, filming, all were terrific and the scenery was glorious!

The characters were deeply thought out, and the issues they brought with them to Bali could be identified easily through out our society. Divorce, motherhood, emotional pain, trauma, all were treated with great compassion.

We watch a lot of television on Netflix and Prime and this film is as good as any of them and better than some.

I hope this film is available to anyone who enjoys comedy, but so much more!

Congratulations to all.

Such a great film all around! It boasts an Incredible cast and story line, and the writing/directing is both powerful and clever ...It had me lol'ing more than once and I must say the editing just tied it all into a gorgeous epic picture. Oh! And then I must not forget the gorgeous setting of Bali and how magical it is to watch the film set there... I certainly will be sharing it with many friends once it is out in the screening world! Also I must add - I am in awe of the all female team and just how collaborative their efforts were. What an inspiration for artists everywhere! Brava, Brava, Brava!!!!

I watched Unpacking at home with my husband and we found ourselves laughing and getting emotional throughout the film.

The setting was perfect. I felt like I was at the retreat with them rolling my eyes along with one of the characters and yearning for a deeper meaning with some of the others. Each character had a unique journey that anyone could connect with. I loved that every character had their own spotlight and moment to shine. The relationship between the sisters was very real, as were the immediate relationships built in that type of environment.

I would definitely watch it again and recommend it to others who want to take a fun journey.

I really enjoyed watching this film and could relate to the jouney the actors were going through. The storyline was compelling and gripping. I hope to see more from this group! The multi layered script unfolds in a fun and frivolous way the both entertains and relates. Bali was a beautiful place to create the movie, and it really makes me want to visit. I have never been to a retreat, but the radical transformation that these women went through during this film was amazing. The interlocking storylines between the different characters in the movie kept me engaged throughout. I can't wait to see more from this group!

A novel look at facing change and the truth. This film pulls back the curtain on what it's like to be looking for something inside yourself and entering an uncharted life chapter. With others who are doing the same thing. In Bali. On a spiritual retreat that's nothing like these women expect. Hilarious and emotional, their authentic desires and anxieties come together in a unique story that I related to from my own past struggles. Highly recommend to anyone feeling like they don't belong in their story anymore and are riding the wave of the unknown. A must see! The special effects, design and art direction are especially fantastic.

Viewed at The Magnolia Independent Film Festival in Starkville, Mississippi. UNPACKING was the featured film on the second night of the festival and was an enormous hit with the audience. A plot summary might scare off the casual viewer with its tale of six women who travel to Bali for a retreat with a guru spouting self-help cliches, but surprises abound in this entertaining, nuanced, and touching tale about modern women having to negotiate the challenges of love, family, friendship, and self-worth. Directors Alexandra Clayton and Michal Sinnott have a light touch, using tongue-in-cheek humor to spoof the oh-so-mockable world of mindfulness and self-help ("I'm going to guide you back to a pure, womb-like state before the world told you to hate yourself"). But this is no mockumentary style take down. Instead, you get three-dimensional portraits of women who are all struggling with their lives -- divorce, infidelity, loneliness are just some of the challenges. The score by Mitchell Manburg, featuring a lilting woman's voice flitting up and down the scale, is terrific, reminding me of the a capella work by Toby Twining. Filmed entirely in Bali in a mere two weeks, the cinematography is breathtaking without making it a movie with pretty locations and nothing else. And the cast -- well, it's flawless, with nary a false note and lots of pungent dialogue to keep things afloat ("I'm an immigration lawyer, I don't sleep with escorts!"). I was particularly taken by Katie Braden, who brings a vulnerability and tenderness to the role of Alice that reminded me of a quirky combination of Julianne Moore and Allison Janney. In summary, this was such a lovely surprise and I wish the team of filmmakers the best as they travel the festival circuit in search of a good distribution deal. Seeing how there is so much mediocre fare on streaming services like Netflix, HBO Max, Apple+, Paramount+, and Hulu, I won't be surprised when this shows up on one of those channels and becomes a hit with viewers around the world. It deserves such a fate.

Unpacking portrays a beautiful snap shot of life's peaks and valleys with clever perspective in humorous, witty, quirky, adventurous ways. Excellent examples of radical acceptance and love. It has great characters; oddball, complex, identifiable and some annoyingly lovable. It's filmed in beautiful and real life scenery embracing western and eastern cultures. Perfect time to watch it is anytime. The music is warm and enticing. Just when you think life can't get any worse or even when you think it's going just fine, laughter, banter, connection, compromise and community heal the battle wounds of life.

My dear friend Alexandra was one of the creators of this movie, so when they announced a showing in the LA area I jumped on it. I was so impressed by the quality of the film and the actors. In the backdrop of beautiful, serene Bali, the story of women on a wellness retreat brought humor, self reflection, and challenging female relationships to the screen. It was the perfect combination of heartwarming, thoughtful, and hilarious- exactly what we needed. Congrats to everyone involved in the making of this film- it's a true gem. I cant wait to see it again! I promise that men, women, old and young will enjoy this.

Unpacking is a film that stays with you long after it has ended. 6 young women head to Bali for a retreat with an instagram guru. Their experiences there are not what the viewer imagines they would be. It is a film full of emotion that also has a lot of comedic moments.

Bali is a beautiful country but the Balinese we encounter in the film are like people everywhere - full of their own self-interest as well as desiring to perform their jobs of assisting the retreat leader. The women on retreat come for different reasons that are revealed over the course of the film. Though the film mainly features young woman, anybody of any age or sex will find this film entertaining and poignant.

The script is great and the acting and directing are excellent.

If you love Rollercoasters You will Love this Movie.

For something that was just a small budget Film shot within 13 days; kudos!

Worth watching, always captivating and entertaining but also realistically inspiring.

This is Cinema worthy especially if they actually distribute it into Indonesian Market then it will be packed with Line ups at the Indonesian Cinemas.

Awesome casts and disturbingly deliciously Funny ASF.

Face Your Demons are definitely the most powerful description for this movie.

Waiting forward to seeing the sequel to this hopefully

I'll rate it 10/10 because...

I feel like I was Living it and it has some hilarious moments and never boring at least.

I loved this! Everything made it a wonderful cinematic experience. Showcasing the beauty of Bali, the actors, the story and the way it was filmed all made watching this movie inspiring and fun to watch. I liked getting to know the characters and watching them grow. All of the women had different issues they were working on, very relatable. The directors filmed it in a way that kept you interested throughout the story.

I also liked the length; long enough to pull you in but not too long. And the movie left you with feeling you knew the characters but also left room to ponder what would happen to each of them when they left Bali.

Fantastic film!

"Unpacking" is moving and engaging, with powerful performances all around. The worlds of these women intersect and interconnect, and it doesn't take you long to feel as if you know them all personally. Everybody, watching this film, whether male or female, is likely to find something in these characters' stories to identify and connect with. Each of them is on a journey--the ones running the retreat every bit as much as the ones attending it--and you never know just where it's going to go. It's expertly written and directed, and the cast make a great ensemble with marvelous interactive chemistry. Check it out.

The journey of five women and their instructor at a retreat in Bali lends to authenticity, vulnerability, kindness and eventually non-judgementalness. Funny, pognant, relatable and not to be missed - a film with heart, these women with different personalities and different challenges open themselves to group experiences and share, what as individuals each held to be secrets that held each captive to shame. A not to be missed film that encapsulates the power of friendship and honesty, love, courage and understanding, as six strangers, along with two others, accept the flaws in themselves and others and learn to love each other.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie and it was a joy to watch. I found all of the retreat women were portrayed in a way that was real, relatable and authentic and their vulnerability made it easy to connect with each one of their stories.

All the women at the retreat was struggling with a different issue and visiting the retreat for a different reason but all of them were relatable and treated with support and compassion. It was empowering to see them all come to terms with what they are battling, find common ground, support each other, have their own break through moments and start to heal.

The Bali setting and scenery was absolutely gorgeous and captured so well in the beautiful cinematography.

When we got ready to see Unpacking, I thought, "Another indie chick flick." About 12 minutes into the film, I realized - This is Good, I want to find out where this movie goes.

The cast is practically all American women, the story is about human beings searching for connection and meaning. The location, centered in a large house in Bali, serves to isolate and focus the plot. The score evokes the exotic setting as it enhances the narrative.

There is no time wasted in this tightly scripted gem. The story is fully developed and satisfyingly told in under 90 minutes, refreshing in this era of long films. Unpacking is a drama with a healthy dose of comedy. The characters are sculpted, three dimensional individuals, their motivations and interactions ring true.

The strongest impression that remains with me is the realness of the characters, their individual flavors of vulnerability, self-doubt, and strength. I want to know what happens to each of them.

Great humor, beautiful cinematography, excellent sound track, and fantastic character development. The acting was wonderfully natural. The pace of the film was perfect, each scene felt like it unfolded so organically in real time. I could see myself in aspects of each character. Am I an aggressive progressive? This is a new term for me that is pretty hilarious! Might I be that person who goes to someplace like Bali and takes part in a culturally appropriative spiritual quest? My favorite part was how each character, in their own way, grew into a better version of themselves by the end. My husband and I are well into our 60's and we both loved it.

Amazing that a first feature could be achieved with such confident, clear storytelling and technical polish. All of the production and direction choices made by Alexandra Clayton and Michal Sinnott make the film compelling. It touches a nerve in modern personal relationships - the title refers to unpacking of the emotional as well as the suitcase kind. I never lost attention. Improvised dialogue can be self-indulgent but here it is crisp and balanced well with scripted dialogue. All the actors trust themselves and are easy to watch. There is a brilliant scene in which the physical experience of childbirth is discussed by two of the women. Also, there is the uncanny writing and realization of a gigolo character. The sound design is beguiling - light, not heavy. The film is already intense - a heavy sound design would be a drag. The film takes its subject matter seriously, but too seriously. I appreciated that it does not demean men or new-age self-help therapies.

I have seen this film twice now. I love the visuals and sound, so professional and appropriate for the scenes. The beauty of Bali definitely shines. I know a movie is 'made' by the actors and storyline; this film has it all.

I also love the vulnerability of the ladies, so relatable for many women, young or old. Each character has unique struggles to work through. I especially love Alice, Charlotte, and Ruby, although Jackie is totally loveable too.

I certainly think this is Netflix or Amazon quality work. This group of actors and crew have done an excellent job putting this film together to endear the watchers to each personality in their journey to self discovery.

Great film with excellent, authentic acting. Exotic setting and nice camera work. A delve into both women's empowerment and a powerful caution not to judge others. My husband who thought this would be a chick flick found it to be revealing and informative. It is a deeply layered film in which multi-faceted characters discover unexpected insights about themselves and others. The relationship between two sisters, played by Alexandra Clayton and Michal Sinnott (both also the film's co-writers and codirectors) is particularly touching. This movie offers insights for both women - and men - at all stages of life.

We watched and enjoyed Unpacking last night. The story was well told with intriguing plot and dialogue. The production value and acting were great, very professional. The film uses haunting vocal music which added to the mystical feeling that you were in Bali. Shot selection and good direction enhanced the whole experience. The writers told a good story and the actors brought it to life. In addition to the American cast (all women), the plot used Balinese characters and actors, a man and a women, a nice touch. The movie left me wanting more! I hope this director and cast are able to work together again. When is the sequel scheduled?