What Tomorrow Brings movie review by Movie Review Mom

MOVIE TITLE: What Tomorrow Brings

This touching and heartbreaking drama is now available on TVOD/AVOD.

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 1 hour 35 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: B

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Shot entirely on an iPhone 17 Pro Max, this indie feature is a powerful example of low-budget passion filmmaking driven by family talent!

IN A NUTSHELL:

Directed, written, and produced by Matthew Engelbert, What Tomorrow Brings is an intimate indie drama starring his real-life daughters, Joely and Phoebe Engelbert. The story follows two sisters, Clara and Ruby, left to navigate life alone after their mother leaves home seeking treatment for mental illness following the loss of their father. As days pass and their mother fails to return home, the sisters cling to hope and each other while trying to keep their lives together amidst grief and uncertainty.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

• The film deals heavily with topics including suicide, death, grief, mental illness, and family trauma.

• Parents should be aware that the heavy emotional weight makes this best suited for mature teens and adults.

• No major explicit language or excessive violence, but the realistic family tragedy can be emotionally intense.

THEMES:

• Sisterly bonds and unconditional love

• Mental health awareness and coping with tragedy. At the end of the film, we see a title card on the screen announce, “This movie deals with the topic of suicide. 988 is the suicide and Crisis Lifeline. It is for anyone experiencing behavioral health-related distress. You are not alone.”

• Grief, hope, and resilience in the face of despair

• The strength of family unity, as well as a new definition of family

• Second chances

THINGS I LIKED:

• Real-life sisters Joely and Phoebe Engelbert deliver heartfelt, authentic performances with effortless chemistry that elevates the dark and heavy subject matter. How lucky are they that they have a dad who wrote and directed a film for them to star in! Joely Engelbert’s standout acting performance earned her the award of “Best Actress” at the Santa Fe Film Festival!

• Their father had some Hollywood and TV experience but he footed the bill on his own to create this movie.

• An impressive technical achievement, shot entirely on an iPhone 15 Pro Max with a modest $150,000 budget, demonstrating how far independent mobile filmmaking has come.

• Highly relatable portrayal of sisterly support and holding on to hope through painful circumstances.

• The story is structured with many flashbacks, as we watch a troubled teen journal about the events and her feelings
• I loved seeing all of the candid photos of the Engelbert family and cast at the end of the movie. Cute family! I counted 10 different members of their family who were involved with the film and appeared in the final rolling credits. Congratulations to all of them!
• Even more, the Engelbert family was involved with writing, singing, composing, and producing all of the songs we enjoy in the film! What a talented family!

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

• The built-in microphone audio falters at times during certain scenes due to smartphone recording limitations. The sound shifts from background music to other sound clips.

• The editing is a bit rough. We have to keep remembering that this movie was filmed on an iPhone!

• The pacing feels somewhat slow and heavy in places due to the dark nature of the narrative.

• There are some amateur and stiff acting moments, although the film’s story is presented in earnest.

MOVIES LIKE THIS YOU ALSO MIGHT LIKE:

• Leave No Trace (2018)

• The Florida Project (2017)

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@MovieReviewMom @TrinaBoice

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Dr. Trina Boice is a university professor, author of 36 books, professional author coach, YouTuber, podcaster, film critic, and mom of 4 awesome sons.