Be honest. You can imagine taking matters into your own hands. 

I sure can. 

First-time writer/director Kelsey Nerrie has crafted a compelling story centered around a father (Rick Bickel) grieving the unsolved disappearance of his daughter. When no answers come, he decides to take matters into his own hands. It's a decision that comes with a myriad of consequences. 

In just under 14 minutes, Repercussion(s) tells a story both relatable and unfathomable. 

Again, be honest. 

You can relate. Can't you? 

I sure can. 

When trauma or tragedy happens, our minds go there. At times we act. Other times? Something within the universe holds us back. 

Repercussion(s) asks us "Is going to the extreme ever possible?" We can never really know how even a single decision can ripple across the waves of our lives and impact us forever. 

Is it worth it? Sometimes? Or is the justice we perceive it to be worth any unforeseen consequences? 

The dilemma of this man, known only to us as Jessie's father, radiates across the screen throughout the film's running time largely owing to Bickel's tremendous performance as a father anguished and uncertain. Thanks to Nerrie's direction, we feel his pain and we feel the universality of the choices being made here. Lensing by Victor Collins is tremendously effective, especially for a low-budget and crowdfunded film, and the film's visual tapestry is immersive, muted, and even with the challenging topic quite mesmerizing to take in. 

Filmed in Richmond, Virginia, Repercussion(s) had its world premiere at Charlottesville's Indie Short Film Festival last month and is set to screen at Fredericksburg Film Festival in June. 

Repercussion(s) exists in a time and a place where the internet and the accessibility of the entire world combine to make it seem entirely possible to take matters into our own hands even before we realize what has unfolded. It's a reality we so often here about these days over and over and over again. 

Repercussion(s) will make you think. It will make you feel. It will make you hesitate. 

If you get a chance, check out Repercussion(s) from up-and-comer Kelsey Nerrie. 

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic