Alex (Kieran Roberts) and his wife River (Nancy Ma) are an Instagram-friendly couple, appealing and friendly and in search of the perfect home in which to grow their soon-to-be family in writer/director Yana Bille-Chung's 20-minute short film Till Death. The kind young couple seemingly receives the opportunity of a lifetime when an ailing octogenarian, Mrs. Campbell (Rosie Lee Hooks), offers to sell them her sublime home at 60% off its asking price if only they allow her to remain their until she passes. 

And it appears that's not too far off in the future. 

Unsurprisingly, perhaps, all is not going to be as it seems in Till Death, a darkly humorous bastion of psychological truths gone awry as Mrs. Campbell's quick demise becomes a years-long journey while River's enthusiastic willingness to take a little risk with a big pay-off becomes filled with uncertainty and doubts and we're left asking ourselves who's right, who's wrong, and what would we do in a similar situation. 

Wisely, Yana Bille-Chung doesn't play judge and jury here. She's here to tell a story, and it's a story she tells well. 

Everything about Till Death works beautifully with a strong ensemble cast led to perfection by Rosie Lee Hooks as the elder woman we can't quite figure out throughout a good majority of the film. However, both Nancy Ma and Kieran Roberts are equally sublime and an absolute blast to watch. 

The film is beautifully lensed by Jacki Moonves with a color palette that immerses us in a comfort that never quite feels comfortable. The original score from Karen Martin serves as an atmospheric companion to the unfolding story, while the setting itself feels absolutely perfect. 

The last few moments of Till Death are perfectly nuanced, shifting energies tell a meaningful story and difficult decisions lead us down a path we don't quite expect. 

Till Death is currently on its festival run. The film picked up the best screenwriting and best actress awards at teh Diversity in Cannes Short Film Showcase, and it's a film that should see even more awards as its journey continues. 

Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic