In the Clouds (2025)

-Written by Kyle Bain.

After a traumatic event the mind can do incredible things to help you cope. Young Sara (Nika Roufi) experiences something magical when she sneaks out to play with her sister Tala (Sophia Akraminejad). Reality and imagination become difficult to decipher as darkness descends upon her in In the Clouds. 

Almost from the start it’s apparent that magical realism is present in In the Clouds, even if it’s not at first clear how or why. There’s an other-worldy element present in this film, one that effectively transports viewers to a place that is both familiar and dissimilar from the real world. Dulled tones present viewers with something less vibrant than the real world, piquing viewers’ curiosity in the early going. Furthermore, the mystery surrounding that magical realism allows viewers to play along, attempting to decipher the meaning buried beneath the surface. 

Writer-Director Alexandra Bahíyyih Wain is subtle in her approach. The score is subtle, but clear—and she often cuts through that score with a juxtapositional silence that is deafening. What works so well in those moments of silence is not necessarily the silence itself but the directorial decisions that accompany the silence. Paired with those moments of silence are sudden jump cuts, extreme close-ups on seemingly inconsequential objects, and an alteration to the overall aesthetic. Using multiple techniques, Wain and In the Clouds are able to express their intended points with ease. 

While this may have been personal preference as opposed to something that was actually wrong with In the Clouds, I struggled to understand the trajectory and development of Sara’s mother. At the start of the film she’s vicious and angry, and by the conclusion she’s almost fawning over her daughter, scared at the thought of losing her. I imagine that the loss of a child can cause mood swings like this, but it’s something else that fails in regard to the character. From a writing standpoint, it simply feels as if she was incomplete. 

In the Clouds blends reality and magical realism to tell the story of Sara after the loss of her sister. The combination of audio and visual to highlight certain moments and to strengthen both the mystery and intensity of the film as a whole work wonders, enhancing the entirety of the production from the start. The film is a melting pot of filmmaking techniques, and while I feel that there are some shortcomings that hinder the film’s progression at times, it’s a strong and meaningful film that will surely resonate with viewers. 

Written & Directed by Alexandra Bahíyyih Wain. 

Starring Nika Roufi, Sophia Akraminejad, Raha Rahbari, Reza Shademan, Kevin Layne, etc. 

7/10 = WATCH IT FOR FREE