A FILM ANALYSIS ON THE SHORT FILM "STILL WYLDE".DIRECTOR: INGRID HASS

MICHAELLA TEYI

BFAMPP:28024

 Still Wylde is a short film that walks the fine line between awkward comedy and emotional honesty. It made me feel torn in the best way, like I was laughing at something that also kind of hurt. From the very beginning, the film grabs you with its unusual tone. You can sense that something deeply personal is about to unfold, even though it’s wrapped in weird humor. At the center is a woman preparing for an abortion who unexpectedly runs into her ex. What could have been a cliché turns into a sharp and layered conversation about choice, freedom, and emotional baggage and how people handle big moments so differently.

The heart of the film lies in its message,that life’s decisions, especially painful or complicated ones, don’t always come with clean answers or calm reactions. People cope in strange ways ,sometimes by joking, sometimes by shutting down. Still Wylde embraces that emotional messiness. It’s about owning your choices, standing firm in your present, and not letting your past tug you backward. The tone keeps shifting what starts off feeling light and quirky slowly becomes more honest and raw. That surprise emotional weight sneaks up on you, and by the end, you realize it was there all along hidden beneath the sarcasm and awkward glances.

The characters are what make this film really stick. Ingrid Hass, playing the lead, is bold, sarcastic, and vulnerable all at once. Her performance holds nothing back ,she’s uncomfortable, she’s in pain, but she’s also in control. Her ex, though sometimes frustrating, brings depth to the story by sharing his side, too. Their dynamic is filled with tension, history, and unspoken hurt, which makes their interaction feel real and electric. The cinematography helps with this, it is soft, intimate, and quiet, with close-ups that force you to sit in the silence and awkwardness with them. Nothing flashy, just pure emotion.

Sound and music are used with care. There’s no overwhelming score trying to tell you what to feel. Instead, the film trusts its dialogue, its pauses, and its silences. Every sigh, every stutter feels intentional and powerful. Overall, Still Wylde exceeds expectations. It looks like a casual indie short on the surface, but it’s actually a bold and beautifully messy piece about the emotional weight we carry in our choices. It stays with you not because it ties everything up neatly, but because it doesn’t. It reminds you that feelings are rarely simple, and sometimes, the most powerful stories are the ones that let the discomfort breathe.

A REVIEW ON THE SHORT FILM "STILL WYLDE"

BEGINNING 

We’re introduced to Gertie. Pregnant, quiet, and clearly on an emotional tightrope sitting in a car outside the clinic. The stillness is deceptive, hinting at turmoil beneath the surface. When Sam, her “sometimes boyfriend,” arrives unexpectedly, the tension snaps. Their reunion is awkward, loaded with history and unspoken questions. This opening strikes with raw immediacy: Gertie’s decision isn’t easy, and Sam’s surprise presence hints that their moment won’t go as planned.

MIDDLE 

Stepping into a nearby convenience store or standing in the parking lot, their conversation unfolds like a duel of wit and suppressed feelings. What begins as sarcastic banter quickly peels back into emotional complexity. Gertie uses humor as armor, Sam vacillates between guilt, support, and insecurity. Each pause, glance, and flinch reveals layers of love, regret, and confusion. Through this emotional back-and-forth, we witness how both characters grapple with what brought them here,and what they stand to lose.

END 

The film doesn’t aim for closure through fireworks,it finds it in silence. Gertie reclaims her power, finally entering the clinic alone. Sam stays behind, his expression a tangled mix of loss and empathy. There’s no grand reconciliation, no tearful confessions,just the clarity of acceptance. Gertie moves forward, Sam watches her do it. The final shot lingers on that emotional divide, underlining that sometimes true resolution means letting go.

BOTTOM LINE 

Still Wylde doesn't pack in dramatic turns it thrives on emotional realism. Its power lies in small, unfiltered moments,sharp dialogue, raw performances, and lingering silences. The beginning sets a tense stage, the middle dives into the messy truth of their relationship, and the end leaves you moved by the grace of letting go. It's a quiet, resonant story that stays with you long after the credits roll.

PROTAGONIST

The clear protagonist of Still Wylde is Gertie. She’s at the center of the story is physically, emotionally, and thematically. Gertie is navigating a major life decision with courage, sarcasm, and quiet vulnerability. What makes her such a strong protagonist is that she isn’t portrayed as perfect or overly emotional. She is layered, messy, and real. She’s trying to take control of her life, own her choice, and move forward, even when everything around her feels confusing or uncomfortable. The story is told through her lens, and the emotional weight of the film rests on her ability to face both her decision and her complicated relationship with Sam.

ANTAGONIST

Interestingly, the antagonist isn’t a “villain” in the traditional sense, it’s Sam, but more so in an emotional or internal-conflict way. Sam isn’t trying to hurt Gertie directly, but his presence creates tension and emotional resistance. He brings guilt, confusion, and the weight of their past relationship into a moment where Gertie is trying to stay grounded and move forward. His need to talk, to be involved, and to make sense of everything unintentionally makes her path harder. In this way, he represents the emotional baggage and mixed signals that challenge her clarity and peace. He’s not evil, he's just part of the emotional struggle she has to overcome.

#Visualstorytelling #IVS2025 #UniMacIFT #LEKLEBI