The Possible Life - Film Review

The whole composition of ‘The Possible Life’ is just beautifully done. The montage of flashbacks combined with the scoring, the camera work, editing and the absolute terrific performances of Lauren Call and Michael Vlamis is storytelling as its finest and makes this movie a must watch.

Bringing back the same scene throughout the story including different endings really captures the essence of how fragile life can become based on a single moment. It invites us as the audience to ask ourselves the question of how certain moments in life, the way how we behave or react can dictate our whole future.

We see ourselves in Emma, so vividly portrayed by Laura Call. We feel for her, we root for her, and we want her to be well – even as we sometimes question her behavior. Watching her is like holding up a mirror and stepping into her shoes, uncertain how we ourselves would react in moments like these. Ultimately, the film shows how decisions made in moments of intense emotion can have lasting consequences – creating unexpected outcomes, both good and bad.

Director Burke Doeren and writer Jacob Seidman created something truly magical here which they can very proud of.

"The Possible Life" won Best Narrative Film at the 11th annual Top Shorts 2025.

Review by Top Shorts' juror, Benjamin Schnau.