Before You (2025)

-Written by Kyle Bain. 

Before You takes viewers on a journey through the past. Maia (Tala Ashe) tells the tale of a previous pregnancy, one that has haunted her mind for years. Now, firmly planted in the present, she and her husband, Avi (Adam Rodriguez), must face new challenges. 

Steeped in magical realism, Before You creates a sense of camaraderie and togetherness that extends the length of the short film and allows viewers easier access to Maia’s life and the tragedy that has effectively shaped her entire existence. Writer-Director Lauren Melinda does a spectacular job of ripping Maia and viewers out of their current place and aggressively throwing us into a new, equally challenging situation. This occurs over and over again

Before You is looking to make a statement, one that mirrors the issues of the political and moral climate of the country right now. While I do believe that there’s enough here to allow viewers to understand the film’s stance on abortion and the like, what it does so incredibly well is remain subtle in its presentation and allow viewers to access the information at their own pace. Before You is emotionally heavy, and, except for the final thirty seconds or so, the tone remains just as dense and harrowing. Not only does the subtlety of the presentation allow viewers to access the information at their own discretion, but it also keeps Before You from becoming too emotionally straining for viewers to digest. With that, it’s clear that Melinda made a series of decisions with the intention of not drawing viewers in sorrow, but rather allowing them to remain present in a narrative that could have easily been debilitating. 

Both Ashe and Rodriguez are actors that I’ve come to be incredibly familiar with over the past decade or so, having seen Ashe in Legends of Tomorrow and Rodriguez in [my favorite show] Criminal Minds. They had often been provided the opportunity to showcase their dramatic chops in each of their respective shows, but Before You tasks them with something more visceral and grounded than what’s been requested in the past. This short film discusses what is likely one of the most horrifying experiences parents (or prospective parents) could experience. They provided honest, grounded performances that connect with viewers and allow them access to a scenario that is likely foreign to many. Before You ultimately envelops viewers in this tragedy with Maia and Avi, and tasks them with stomaching this incident with those aforementioned characters. 

What films like Before You often do is allow themselves to end without truly resolving the conflict. Tragedy strikes, and by the end of the film, the resolution is simply that the characters have learned to live with and grow from what has happened to them. Before You provides a more cathartic and upbeat conclusion in which Maia and Avi’s prayers have effectively been answered. The heavy content has the potential to negatively affect viewers' mood by the film’s conclusion, but Melinda decides to provide them with something even beyond hope as the film begins to fade to black. While Before You makes it clear that the tragedy will never be forgotten, there is effectively an answer to each of the questions being posed throughout. 

Melinda creates a fantastical short film that uses magical realism to present a horrifying situation to viewers. She is aggressive in her approach, but not so much that it becomes off-putting. Before You is a heartbreaking watch, but it’s one that, with spectacular cinematography, passionate and grounded performances, and a heartwarming resolution, will resonate with viewers. 

Written & Directed by Lauren Melinda. 

Starring Tala Ashe, Adam Rodriguez, Afsaneh Levy, Linda Nassib, George Russo, etc. 

8/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING