Reconstructing Charlie (2026)

-Written by Kyle Bain.

Charlie (Emily Arlook) is on a journey of rediscovery, attempting to find herself after divorce. When she’s suddenly struck with horrific news, an impromptu girls night out is essential. Faced with the harsh reality that life will never be the same and that she and her best friend, Alison (Brooke Lyons) are drifting apart, this journey of Reconstructing Charlie may be the most important of her life. 

Imagine you’re on your way to self-betterment, on track to make your life what it was meant to be before you were sidetracked. Then, suddenly, you’re met with the worst possible news. How do you respond? I don’t know if I can fathom the emotional and physical toll that something like this might cause—and, yes, we’re referring to the big C…Cancer. It’s a word that holds so much weight, and it remains at the center of Reconstructing Charlie throughout nearly its entirety. While it’s effectively veiled by the other insane things occurring throughout the film, it’s very much the catalyst for all that transpires before viewers. 

Reconstructing Charlie initially feels a bit like hyperbole, as if the entirety of the story would be exaggerated for effect. To a degree, embellishment plays a pivotal role in helping to develop the titular Charlie and her narrative—but Writer-Director Lara Everly ensures that she’s not too aggressive in her pursuit of extravagance, rather dialing back what initially felt like it would be the primary vehicle by which this story was delivered. Both Arlook and Lyons are spectacular in their ability to balance both absurdity and simplicity in a way that allows them to feel honest—not caricatures of the truth. Reconstructing Charlie, shrouded in a darkness with the potential to consume not only the film’s lead, but the viewers, uses tonal juxtaposition in order to present viewers with levity and keep the film from ever becoming overwhelming. 

While Reconstructing Charlie is a cohesive story, rooted in Charlie’s journey—something about it also feels like a series of vignettes (much like what one might have seen in those classic Charlie Chaplin productions). Each piece of this film has the potential to remain separate from the rest, acting as singular puzzle pieces that, together, make up Charlie. These vignettes work both together and independently of one another—and that’s a testament to Everly’s world building, script, and directorial execution. 

Much like how Reconstructing Charlie is able to shift in tone, and transport viewers from one place to the next with an effective vigor—the lighting plays a similar role. In some moments the vibrant strobe lights consume some scenes and blur out the extraneous details of the background, and in others harsh spotlights antagonize viewers and their perception of what is taking place. Again, blending a variety of techniques greatly benefits Reconstructing Charlie, intensifying it in the best ways, without ever allowing it to go overboard. 

A sound entry into Everly’s growing catalog of film credits, Reconstructing Charlie is a product near and dear to her heart. It’s clear that she understands the very fabric of its being, and as she uses her technical prowess and is willing to take risks, Reconstructing Charlie grows exponentially better as it progresses. 

Written & Directed by Lara Everly. 

Starring Emily Arlook, Brooke Lyons, Pam Murphy, Omar Muñoz, Ian Reier Michaels, etc. 

8/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING