The Second Time Around (2025)

-Written by Kyle Bain.

On a dark, rainy night, the lone remaining employee at a diner is confronted by a mysterious woman. The Second Time Around is a dark and ominous look into this dark and ominous world. 

The first thing I noticed about The Second Time Around was the captivating score, an onslaught of sounds that blend to create a mesmerizing symphony of pain and optimism that transcends the entirety of the short film. Even in moments where the dramatic intensity of the narrative is meant to be broken, meant to shift, the score moves forward, unwilling to waver, to concede. It’s so incredibly powerful in its simplicity, but its tenacity is anything but simple. 

To be honest, I had no idea what to expect from The Second Time Around. Other than the hints provided by the score, I wasn’t entirely sure the trajectory in which this film would head. The short film clocks in at just over twelve minutes (including credits), and I’d say nearly half of that leaves viewers in the dark (something done well and intentionally as a result of the darkness that often permeates the space on camera), left to our own devices and attempt to anticipate what might follow each line of dialogue. 

The mysterious woman (Caroline Goodall) and Elle (Hannah Onslow) deliver grounded lines of dialogue that keep viewers guessing, but tether this film together nicely. The chemistry between these two actors, one highly seasoned, one clearly newer to the profession (at least comparatively) is exquisite--as if the two had known one another their entire lives. They feed off of one another’s emotions, strengthening the characters’ bond and enhancing the overall tone of the film. The Second Time Around uses the strength of these actors to drive the plot, keep the mystery intact as long as it should be, and ultimately provide the stunning emotional gut punch as the film climaxes and slowly descends toward its conclusion. Much of the film’s success stems from the gusto of both Onslow and Goodall, a stunning tandem. 

It took me a bit of time to figure out the whole of the situation present in The Second Time Around, and it was just seconds before the film faded to black that it began to fully make sense to me. Again, the mystery that plays such a pivotal role in developing intensity in The Second Time Around kept me engaged, interested, and appreciative of the overall narrative. 

6:27am is when I finished watching The Second Time Around. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I choose the worst times to watch films like this, the ones that will tear you apart and force you to question everything. Yet, The Second Time Around didn’t crush me, it provided me a unique, welcome, and glorious look at the world--an opportunity to see the silver lining, explained in a way that I’d never heard or seen before. While I was heartbroken as the film came to a close, I can’t help but think that just maybe this was perfect timing--there was something beyond me that had me choose this film to watch first thing in the morning. The Second Time Around is all encompassing, a powerful narrative that has the power to move audiences. Starting with its score, and including aspects like the lighting, the unassuming set, and brilliant acting by both Goodall and Onslow, The Second Time Around is the most meaningful film that I’ve seen so far this year--captivating from the opening seconds, able to appeal to even the most curmudgeonly individual. 

Written & Directed by Jack Howard. 

Starring Caroline Goodall, Hannah Onslow, Genevieve Lewis, etc. 

9/10 = DROP EVERYTHING AND WATCH IT NOW