Spectrum (2024)

-Written by John Cajio.

Spectrum’s tagline is “we all have worth regardless of where we place on the spectrum.” Writer, Editor, and Director Rick Stanton leans very hard into that tagline—and to great effect. Spectrum is a film worth the time to watch.

The brief 31-minute film follows Steve (Steven Stanton), a man with autism, as he lives his life. In true slice-of-life fashion, we observe as he gets too invested in a video game featuring comic book heroes, as he goes to group therapy with other neurodivergent people, making mistakes while attempting to buy milk at his mother’s request, applying and interviewing for a job, and visiting the local pub. 

Spectrum makes several deliberate choices in casting and presentation to support its mission. Neurodivergent people are cast in roles intended to represent autism and other forms of neurodivergency, immediately lending a sense of authenticity to the film that might otherwise be lacking. The performances themselves are all quite good, too. I have a feeling Stanton is used to dealing with neurodivergent people and provided the neurodivergent cast a platform to feel safe in order to extract such strong performances. 

The film is also presented entirely in black and white, and initially in 4:3 ratio. It seems the director’s intention is to acknowledge the normalized everyday hardships that neurodivergent people experience. It’s as if Steve is in a cage all of the time—maybe because Steve feels he is caged quite a bit by the trappings of a society built and designed for normal people by normal people. 

However, as the film reaches an unexpected climax, the aspect ratio widens to 2.35 as Steve stumbles across an unexpected scene and an opportunity arises for him to show his worth and value to the rest of society. 

The neurodivergent members of the cast are smartly supported by a suite of strong actors that include BAFTA-winning Wunmi Mosaku and Hasan Dixon. 

With a compelling, well-rounded cast, an intelligent story, and smart, deliberate presentation choices, Spectrum is a film worth checking. It does not suck.

Written & Directed by Rick Stanton.

Starring Steven Stanton, Wunmi Mosaku, Hasan Dixon, etc.

8.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING (IT DOES NOT SUCK)