With Arms Raised (2025)

-Written by Kyle Bain. 

“I’m uncomfortable.” 

“That’s a really shitty way to start your day.”

These are things that I muttered to myself, with tears in my eyes, after watching With Arms Raised. It was hard to find other words, as the shock of the short film’s conclusion left me without them and a void in my chest. 

So, what is With Arms Raised about?

It follows a taxi driver (Johnathen Wallace) and his passenger (Andrew Garrett) on their short ride to a local church. As they begin to discuss Chicago, a pastime that they share, the conversation begins to grow seemingly more sinister and discomforting. Where are they really going, and what happens when they get there?

Conversations about the White Sox, parents, and a brighter future quickly descend into something more harrowing. Suddenly the talk of homelessness, assault, and the like takes over the conversation, shifting not only the relationship between this driver and his fare, but With Arms Raised as a whole. Even with only ten minutes to play with, the narrative moves along slowly, allowing the conversation to build incrementally and effectively. 

As previously mentioned, With Arms Raised made me uncomfortable. The subject matter is a major reason for that (a subject that isn’t fully realized until the final seconds). However, it’s the erratic conversation between the two men that is most effective in creating a sense of unease. Again, the conversation moves without structure, bouncing from place to place without reason. While many of the topics of conversation weren’t dark or offputting, it’s Garrett’s ability to tether them together in a way that is akin to something of a mental break. The character remains firmly disjointed, and Garrett’s performance allows emotion to pour from the character and add depth to topics that shouldn’t have any.  

Furthermore, Garrett and Wallace have a chemistry that is vibrant and welcoming. Even in the most uncomfortable situations throughout With Arms Raised, their ability to read one another, to build off of one another’s emotion, and to allow that emotion to pour from the screen is nothing short of spectacular. Confined to the cab for the entirety of the film, viewers are given very little else, and the performances are what present everything to them. I can’t imagine better performances; but even better, I don’t know that I’ve seen two actors work so brilliantly together in some time. The darkness passed between them reminds me of what can be seen in films such as In Bruges and The Banshees of Inisherin from the acclaimed Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. I hope both Wallace and Garrett understand what praise this is—as they deserve every ounce of recognition they receive. 

If I haven’t yet made it clear, the performances are what allow With Arms Raised to thrive, and the use of extreme close ups present those actors with an opportunity to extend their range and be fully understood throughout. Discomfort continues to develop throughout, with every piece of With Arms Raised used to make that a reality. 

With Arms Raised is a visceral experience, one that touches on topics that should greatly resonate with modern-day audiences. Beautifully crafted performances by Garrett and Wallace allow the film to remain emotionally appealing through its transitions. And the slow burn of the narrative and the conversation(s) greatly enhanced an already enticing concept. 

Written & Directed by Jon Cvack. 

Starring Johnathen Wallace & Andrew Garrett. 

9/10 = DROP EVERYTHING AND WATCH IT NOW