The opioid epidemic has become a recurring subject in modern American cinema, often explored through the lens of corporate greed or law enforcement. However, What We Hide (2025), directed and written by Dan Kay, chooses a much more intimate and harrowing entry point. Produced by a collaborative effort involving Hungry Bull Productions and Above the Clouds, the film premiered at Fantastic Fest on September 20, 2025, before its wider United States release on October 17, 2025, under the Gravitas Ventures banner. It is a film that demands attention not because of its scale, but because of the terrifyingly small world its protagonists inhabit.
At the center of the story is Sadie, better known by her nickname Spider, played by Mckenna Grace. At only fifteen, Spider is forced into an impossible situation when her mother suffers a fatal overdose. Terrified that the state will separate her from her younger sister, Jessie (Jojo Regina), Spider makes the impulsive and desperate choice to bury their mother’s body in secret. What follows is a dark, psychological journey into the woods and the shadows of their community. As they try to maintain a facade of normalcy, they must dodge the growing suspicions of Sheriff Ben Jeffries (Jesse Williams) and the lingering threat of Reece (Dacre Montgomery), the drug dealer who refuses to let their family go. This film matters because it humanizes the "collateral damage" of addiction, focusing on the children left behind who are forced to grow up in a single, traumatic afternoon.
Story and Screenplay: The Weight of a Buried Secret
The narrative quality of What We Hide is a study in contrasts. The core premise—the decision by two children to hide a death to save their family unit—is a profound and moving hook. Structurally, the film functions as a blend of a survival thriller and a coming of age drama. The early sequences, which detail the immediate aftermath of the overdose and the grim reality of the burial, are handled with a somber intensity that feels genuinely fresh. The pacing starts out at a breathless clip, mirroring Spider’s panic and the adrenaline-fueled necessity of her actions. As the secret settles in, the rhythm slows down, allowing the psychological weight of their burden to manifest in quieter, more unsettling ways.
However, the script begins to falter when it introduces outside elements to create tension. While the themes of sisterly bond and the "strained system" of foster care are powerful, the screenplay often falls back on convenient plot devices. For instance, the inclusion of a sudden medical emergency like an asthma attack feels like a calculated move to force a confrontation rather than a natural progression of the story. Additionally, the dialogue occasionally lacks the sharp inspiration needed to match the gravity of the performances. While the initial intent of exploring the opioid crisis is clear, the script sometimes spins into a more conventional "feel-good" narrative about resilience that feels slightly at odds with the dark psychological depths established in the opening act. It is a screenplay that works best when it stays focused on the internal lives of the sisters and struggles when it tries to fill the gaps with standard thriller tropes.
Acting and Characters: Two Sisters Carrying the World
The undeniable strength of What We Hide lies in its casting, specifically the two young women at its heart. Mckenna Grace, an actress who has consistently proven her range as she transitioned from child roles to more mature fare, is phenomenal as Spider. She portrays the character not as a typical "tough girl," but as a child wearing a mask of strength that is constantly on the verge of cracking. Her performance is anchored in a quiet, simmering desperation that makes every choice she makes feel like a life-or-death gamble. Grace avoids the usual pitfalls of melodrama, instead opting for a performance defined by internal conflict and weary responsibility.
Working alongside her, Jojo Regina is a revelation as Jessie. She brings an earnest, innocent energy to the film that serves as the perfect foil to Spider’s cynicism. Regina captures the confusion of a child who wants to believe in the best of the world even as her reality crumbles around her. The chemistry between Grace and Regina is the engine that keeps the film moving; their bond feels lived-in and sacred, making the threat of their separation genuinely heartrending. Supporting them, Jesse Williams provides a steady, moral presence as the Sheriff, though his character is somewhat limited by the "well-meaning protector" archetype. Dacre Montgomery, on the other hand, brings a menacing, volatile energy to Reece, the drug dealer. While Montgomery is effective at being intimidating, the character itself feels a bit like a clichéd antagonist who exists primarily to provide a physical threat, rather than a fully fleshed-out person.
Direction and Technical Aspects: A Polished Look at a Gritty World
Director Dan Kay shows a clear talent for drawing out high-level performances from his actors, but his overall vision for the film's aesthetic is where opinions tend to diverge. Kay and cinematographer Pip White chose a visual approach that is surprisingly bright and clean for a story about hiding a corpse in the woods. While the close-ups of the sisters are expertly staged to capture every flicker of emotion, the film as a whole feels "overlit." This lack of shadow and grit can occasionally pull the viewer out of the story, as the environment looks a bit too polished to belong to the "rural noir" subgenre that the film seems to be aiming for.
The editing is competent, managing to balance the thriller elements of the drug dealer's pursuit with the more contemplative moments of the sisters’ domestic life. However, the visual storytelling doesn't quite reach the level of immersion found in similar films like Winter’s Bone. There is a certain lack of "striking inspiration" in how the world is framed, making the setting feel more like a generic backdrop than a character in its own right. Production design-wise, the family’s home and the surrounding landscape are adequately realized, but they don't quite communicate the specific socioeconomic trap the characters are in with the same visceral detail that the actors do with their performances. The direction feels safe, ensuring that the emotional beats land for a wide audience while perhaps sacrificing the opportunity to create a more atmospheric and haunting experience.
Trailer What We Hide (2025)
Music and Atmosphere: Enhancing the Emotional Toll
The music and sound design of What We Hide are utilized to heighten the "dark and emotional" atmosphere, though they occasionally lean toward the maudlin. The score is at its best when it remains subtle, providing a low, pulsing tension that underscores Spider’s anxiety. When the film tries to tug on the heartstrings with more overt musical cues, it can feel a bit manipulative, as if the director is worried the audience might miss the tragedy of the situation. However, the audio work during the film's tenser sequences—the crunch of leaves underfoot, the distant sound of a siren, the labored breathing during a panic attack—successfully immerses the viewer into Spider's state of mind.
The overall mood of the film is one of "strained peace." There is a constant sense that the outside world is encroaching on the temporary sanctuary the sisters have built for themselves. When the audio design focuses on this encroaching threat, the film becomes a truly "riveting" experience. The soundscapes effectively weave a story of two children trying to be silent in a world that is constantly making noise around them. While the "feel-good" pivots in the second half of the film are supported by a more uplifting sound, the movie is most effective when it stays in that dark, psychological space where every sound is a potential sign of discovery.
Strengths and Weaknesses
What works well:
- Powerhouse Performances: Mckenna Grace and Jojo Regina carry the weight of the story with incredible maturity and emotional depth, making the sisterly bond feel entirely authentic.
- Compelling Premise: The core idea of children hiding a death to stay together is a haunting and unique way to explore the consequences of the opioid crisis.
- High Emotional Stakes: The film successfully makes the viewer feel the constant, gnawing fear of the foster system and the desperation of the sisters' situation.
- Strong Antagonist Energy: Dacre Montgomery provides a genuinely unsettling presence that adds a necessary layer of physical danger to the psychological drama.
- Effective Close-Ups: The direction excels at focusing on the actors' faces, allowing the audience to see the exact moment Spider’s "tough girl" facade begins to slip.
What doesn't work:
- Clichéd Side Characters: The drug dealer and the sheriff both fall into predictable tropes that lack the nuance of the two lead characters.
- Overly Polished Visuals: The lighting and cinematography feel a bit too clean and "overlit," robbing the film of the atmospheric grit its subject matter demands.
- Convenient Plot Twists: Elements like the poorly timed asthma attack feel like "clichéd dramatic plot twists" designed to move the plot forward rather than organic character moments.
- Dialogue Lapses: Some of the writing feels "lackluster" and struggles to keep up with the intense emotional work being done by the cast.
- Tonal Shifts: The film’s attempt to pivot into a "maudlin feel-good movie" in its later stages can feel unconvincing given the dark, tragic reality established earlier.
Final Verdict: A Flawed but Moving Portrait of Resilience
Rating: 3/5 stars
What We Hide (2025) is a film that succeeds in spite of its conventional edges. It is an "emotional drama" that manages to be both heartbreaking and dark, providing a necessary look at the human cost of drug abuse. While it doesn't break new ground in terms of thriller mechanics or visual style, it offers a "simple but profound narrative" that is anchored by two of the best young performances of the year. Mckenna Grace once again proves her status as a top-tier talent, and Jojo Regina establishes herself as a newcomer to watch.
Who should watch it? This movie is a perfect choice for fans of intense, character-driven dramas and anyone who appreciates stories about family loyalty and survival against all odds. If you were moved by films like The Florida Project or Leave No Trace, the emotional core of this film will likely resonate with you.
Who might not enjoy it? Viewers looking for a gritty, "Winter's Bone"-style rural noir might find the visual polish and conventional tropes of What We Hide to be "disappointing". Those who are sensitive to "maudlin" or slightly manipulative storytelling might find the film’s attempt to spin the opioid crisis into a feel-good story about resilience to be unconvincing.
Final Thoughts and Recommendation: I recommend What We Hide for the acting alone. It is a film that expertly weaves a story of sisterhood and survival, even if it occasionally gets tangled in its own clichés. It is a dark psychological drama that, while flawed in its execution, remains a "riveting" experience thanks to the sheer commitment of its cast. It’s a solid rental or streaming choice for those who want to see a powerful performance piece that isn't afraid to expose the most tragic parts of our current reality.
 Movie Review: A Heart-Wrenching Survival Tale Driven by Powerhouse Performances but Tethered to Familiar Genre Tropes){kind=link}
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