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.

Buckle up! You are in for a harrowing, psychologically nuanced, brilliantly heart stopping, scream-inducing, raucous thrill ride. You may wonder who is in control as we follow our lead character Raya who keeps waking up in the woods not knowing how she got there. Living as the sole caregiver to her seriously ill husband in the woods of Big Bear, we witness Raya's resourceful attempts to solve the mystery of why she has no memory of leaving her own home in the dead of night, and awaking in the woods, and injured no less. Raya and her partner's relationship, played by gifted multi-hyphenate Writer/Director/Actor/Producer Paul Bickel is revealed in endearing flashbacks, where his disarming grin and the playfulness of their love feel relatable, organic and grounding - only to have the ground pulled out from under them, and us as audience, as we leap back to Raya's untenable present.

There is a white-knuckle paced intensity Bickel and team create, sharpened to palpitating heights by Jim Holdridge, Paul Bickel and David Ho's editing, making you grit your teeth in determination, almost as if your own intensity will help free Raya from this inexplicable, eerie cycle she's involuntarily repeating. From Tracie Thoms (also produces) and Eugene Byrd's masterful comic relief (equally touching, too) as counterpoint to Raya's pain, to pitch perfect performances by the entire ensemble, with crushingly impactful performance by Allysun Faso and evocative duo Carmen Serano and Terry Gingles, to the breathtaking fear composer David Hernandez startles us with to stunning effect throughout his score, to the flawless sound design by David Ho (also edits & produces), hauntingly beautiful cinematography (Paul Bickel & Damu Malick) of the grandeur of the lakelines, skylines, and elegant deer in their element in the woods, Bickel and Miles have made an unforgettable feature that will spark conversation, you don't want to miss this terrifying gem.

Most inedible of all, is the searingly raw, deeply poignant performance by Raya Miles, as she fights to free herself from this tortuous waking nightmare, even as she's equally devoted to caring for her ailing husband. You don't want to look away from Miles for even a fraction of a second - she's too riveting. Our Happy Place is a testament to what women endure in the quest to love: you don't want to miss this quest. Note this brassy, bold & resourceful filmmaking dynamo of Paul Bickel, Raya Miles, Tracie Thoms, & team, as they make their ongoing mark - you'll be glad (if haunted) you did!

Our Happy Place was so good! It's full of scares and mystery. Just when you think you've figured out the plot, you can kiss your expectations goodbye, as an end-of-movie twist turns it all upside down. The sound and music heighten the tension and fear to astonishing levels and effect. The acting was top-notch, with the women particularly shining. Raya is truly heartbreaking, and Tracie Thoms is appropriately hilarious, a needed comic relief from the high tension. The characters in peril are VERY believable, and sell their fear so well, I was actually worried about them. I saw this movie at a festival a couple months ago, and liked it so much that I went to Dances With Films just to see it a second time.

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.

Thriller fans, you will find yourself completely captivated from the very first frame! Set in the isolation of the Big Bear mountains during the pandemic, Our Happy Place follows Raya, a woman who wakes up in the woods - again and again - plagued by terrifying visions, nightmares, and inexplicable memory lapses. As Raya's reality slowly becomes distorted, her only anchor is her bedridden husband, Paul, who is plagued with a mysterious illness that only deepens her sense of helplessness. The film achieves masterful tension and heart-stopping scares, pulling the audience into Raya's unraveling psyche as her horrific visions reveal glimpses of Paul trying to kill her. The heart of the film is Raya Miles, delivering a performance that is nothing short of stunning. Her portrayal is raw and layered, carrying the weight with remarkable presence. This is a must-see for fans of the psychological thriller genre - and a film you'll want to re-watch the minute the credits roll.