My Brother Jack

I really enjoyed My Brother Jack! The story was rich, intelligent, and emotionally gripping. I love when a film draws me in from the start and keeps me fully invested, and this one absolutely did. The performances were outstanding-Jon Thorndike and Malcolm Madera brought real depth to their roles and had a chemistry that made the characters' relationship feel authentic and heartbreaking. The score was subtle yet powerful, creating a tone that made every moment feel lived-in and real.

It's always refreshing to see a film like this-passionate, thoughtful, and not afraid to explore complex themes without relying on spectacle. Independent films like My Brother Jack remind me why I love cinema. You don't need a massive budget to make something meaningful. With the right direction, performances, and storytelling, this film proves just how impactful and memorable indie filmmaking can be. I'll definitely be following what comes next from this team.

My Brother Jack is a powerful indie film that blends psychological suspense with raw emotional depth. Written and directed by Stephen Dest, the story follows two brothers, Jack and Vincent, who are haunted by the trauma of witnessing their parents' murder as children. When the man convicted of the crime is released from prison and later found dead, old wounds reopen and suspicion falls on Vincent, who struggles with mental illness.

What makes this film stand out is its honesty. Dest's script avoids clichés, opting instead for a slow-burning, character-driven narrative. The emotional weight carried by the two leads-especially in portraying brotherhood, guilt, and loyalty-feels genuine. Vincent's struggles with sleep paralysis and mental health are treated with empathy, not sensationalism.

Shot in New Haven, Connecticut, the city adds a gritty, grounded atmosphere that mirrors the characters' inner turmoil. The visuals and pacing work together to create a haunting tone, and the performances bring a quiet intensity to the screen.

My Brother Jack isn't just a mystery-it's a story about family, healing, and facing the past. It's a hidden gem in independent cinema that deserves more attention.

My wife and I really enjoyed My Brother Jack. It far exceeded my expectations, especially knowing the coffee-sized budget. Acting - especially Vincent, Alex, and Jack and really all the other actors was excellent. Story line was very engaging and filming so professional. There were so many wonderful shots and creative ways to connect the storyline and even the music seemed like a well thought out character in the storyline. We were so absorbed by your creation the entire time. Kudos to all your great creativity and energy. Keep it up and good luck with this and your future endeavors. We have always been supporters of independent film and having the opportunity to see this one, so early on, was a delight.

I loved this movie! The storyline was intelligent and engaging. I like when a film keeps me involved, no matter what the subject and this movie did just that. I was extremely impressed with performances of the two leads (Jon Thorndike and Malcolm Madera). The score was incredible, it really added to the film and created an environment that felt real. and I look forward to hearing more about this film in the coming year. Independent filmmaking is vital to this art form and when I see a movie like this, that is directed so well, I am very pleased. It's good to know that you don't need to have a big budget and Hollywood resources to make a great movie. This was a passionate and creative story, much different from what I've seen in some time.

I randomly watched this film the other day and was pleasantly surprised. Sometimes independent films can get a little messy but this one seemed to come together well. The writing was very good and I loved the plot twist. Most of the scenes look like they were shot in the actual city of New Haven, Connecticut. The directing was great but I would have liked to see better cinematography in the movie. For me, these can always make or break great indie movies. Although not bad, it wasn't the greatest and I feel like it hurt the film a little. Overall, I would recommend giving it a watch.