Tradwife (2025)

-Written by Michelle Vorob.

2026 SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!

As there is no shortage of social media influencers these days, Tradwife feels completely seamless, meta, like you're watching any other influencer live stream a recipe, make-up tutorial, or any other excuse to watch themselves on camera, hoping to be “discovered,” pretending it's for our benefit.

Now, I'm not saying everyone on social media is on there for attention. There are many genuine people out there, doing helpful and meaningful things with their platforms. The issue, and I think Tradwife demonstrates this well, is that many young people are looking for validation and self-worth through social media. We have plenty of evidence that children and young people are having psychological issues, sometimes with tragic results, due to social media, as well as the rise of influencers. What Tradwife also adeptly points out, is that pressure is felt on both sides of the camera. 

Tradwife Sarah Beth-Ann (Madeleine Arthur) is a former actress, now a “happy homemaker” for her husband, Jed (Alex Rich). We join in as Sarah is live streaming a recipe for her followers and singing her husband's praises, when a fan/troll posts a photo of Jed cheating. Okay. Not good. Poor Sarah Beth-Ann. I felt that in my gut.

Sarah Beth-Ann does her best to keep her composure. After all, she's live streaming. Things feel like they're cracking quickly though. Sometimes it doesn't take much to destroy a facade, or a person. Here's the thing; we know much of what we see on social media influencers pages is fake, or at least staged to look as good as possible, but Sarah Beth-Ann is realizing her very real marriage is “fake.” Here she is, a young “tradwife,” having given up her career and independence for love, when she finds out her husband has betrayed her; betrayed all of the traditional values they live by. What a mess.

Well, I certainly didn't expect Tradwife to go in the direction it takes, but it is not a disappointment. It's actually a lot of fun and a very satisfying watch, except for the fact that it was only about fifteen minutes long. Tradwife could probably be a good feature film and expand on Sarah Beth-Ann's experience and really play up the unexpected ending. 

I've been going back and forth, trying to decide if I should give you details about the ending of Tradwife, and I've come to the conclusion that you need to see it unfold, without knowing what's going to happen. I think it'll be more entertaining, as if you're actually watching a live stream. 

Directed by Jacob Combs.

Written by Laura Hunter Drago.

Starring Madeleine Arthur & Alex Rich.

8.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING