Sometimes I Think About Dying Review

Sometimes I Think About Dying Review : Imagine feeling like a ghost drifting through your own life, with each day blurring into the next, as the longing for human connection collides with an overwhelming sense of detachment. Rachel Lambert’s Sometimes I Think About Dying captures the inner world of people who live on the fringes, revealing the moments of longing, introspection, and quiet beauty that come from daring to step out of isolation. Starring Daisy Ridley as Fran, an introverted office worker living in a small Oregon town, the film explores themes of loneliness, vulnerability, and the fragile steps toward connection that emerge even in the most closed-off lives.

In this review, we’ll dive deep into the nuances of Sometimes I Think About Dying, uncovering its storytelling approach, performances, and visual choices. We’ll explore how the film uses subtlety to engage audiences, inviting you to consider how isolation and tentative relationships shape Fran’s journey.

What Is Sometimes I Think About Dying?

A Glimpse into the Story

Sometimes I Think About Dying centers on Fran, who lives a quiet, repetitive life, anchored in routine but emotionally detached. In the small, serene setting of a coastal town in Oregon, Fran spends her days performing her job with precision, managing spreadsheets, and maintaining a distance from her colleagues. Her life is not defined by dramatic highs and lows but by a carefully controlled neutrality. This film, which premiered on April 26, 2024, is directed by Rachel Lambert and stars Daisy Ridley as Fran and Dave Merheje as Robert.

Lambert’s direction offers a delicate portrayal of mental health, exploring what it means to live disconnected from others and, at times, from oneself. Fran’s life, viewed through a lens of muted tones, quietly contrasts with the energy and connection surrounding her, and this dynamic is what brings life to the story’s themes.

Key Production Details

• Director: Rachel Lambert
• Lead Cast: Daisy Ridley as Fran, Dave Merheje as Robert
• Release Date: April 26, 2024
• Genre: Indie, Drama

The film’s beauty lies in its introspective nature and in how it gently invites the audience to reflect on their own connections, or lack thereof, in today’s fast-paced world.

Fran’s World: Living in the Shadows of Everyday Life

Fran’s Closed-Off Life

Fran is not the protagonist of a traditional feel-good film; instead, she’s a relatable, introverted character who feels out of step with the world around her. Her life is defined by simplicity—she goes to work, maintains her distance from her colleagues, and meticulously follows her routine. Through Ridley’s subtle, expressive performance, Fran’s discomfort with personal connection is clear. She seems to float in her own world, half-ghost, half-observer, moving through life with an air of detachment.

Ridley brings authenticity to Fran, capturing her nuances without overplaying the character’s internal struggle. The character of Fran shows that the human experience is not always bright or connected; for some, life is a series of quiet moments, introspections, and fleeting thoughts about endings.

Visually Reflecting Fran’s Isolation

Lambert uses a muted color palette to mirror Fran’s withdrawn personality. The washed-out blues and grays of her surroundings echo her sense of isolation, contrasting with occasional moments of warmth when Robert enters her life. The cinematography underscores her detachment, depicting her office as a place of routine rather than connection. Unlike films that explore isolation through flashbacks or overt symbolism, Sometimes I Think About Dying lets the visuals do the talking in a way that’s subtle but effective.

Robert’s Arrival: Opening Doors to Connection

A New Face in the Office

Robert, played by Dave Merheje, joins the office as a new hire and brings with him an aura of warmth and lightheartedness that stands in stark contrast to Fran’s reserved demeanor. His natural friendliness initially feels intrusive in Fran’s world but soon becomes an intriguing presence. Through gentle gestures and small conversations, Robert begins to chip away at Fran’s emotional walls.

Fran’s initial discomfort at Robert’s presence turns into a tentative interest, as she takes her first steps toward social engagement. The progression of their relationship is deliberately slow, reflecting Fran’s uncertainty. Here, the film delicately explores the question of what it means to open up, especially when doing so is unfamiliar and even frightening.

Their Subtle Yet Significant Connection

The connection between Fran and Robert isn’t an explosive romance but a gentle, nuanced friendship. Their interactions—often punctuated by quiet moments and hesitant smiles—are significant not because of grand declarations but because of Fran’s willingness to engage, even in small ways. Robert represents the possibility of connection and change, inviting Fran to step out of her comfort zone without demanding more than she can give.

Visual and Cinematic Style: An Intimate Look at Fran’s Inner World

Blending Reality and Daydreams

One of the film’s most striking choices is its approach to Fran’s daydreams, which are as muted and understated as her everyday life. Unlike typical depictions where daydreams offer a stark contrast to reality, Fran’s fantasies about death blend seamlessly with her reality. These moments are presented in a way that doesn’t romanticize or exaggerate her mental state; they’re simply an extension of her experience.

The film’s choice to weave daydreams into the mundane shows that for Fran, there is no escape in fantasies. Her thoughts about death are not dramatic or fueled by despair but are rather reflective and quiet, as if they’re as ordinary as the spreadsheets she manages daily.

A Muted, Minimalist Aesthetic

Lambert’s direction embraces a minimalist aesthetic, where even the most significant moments are downplayed. Fran’s world is desaturated, devoid of vibrant colors, mirroring her withdrawn personality. This decision gives the film a subdued quality that matches its introspective tone, setting it apart from films with a more pronounced visual contrast.

Comparatively, Sometimes I Think About Dying avoids the flashy aesthetic of films like The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, where daydreams are lively and colorful. Here, the daydreams are as understated as Fran’s reality, showing that her inner life is not a place of refuge but another facet of her routine.

A Quiet, Powerful Performance by Daisy Ridley

Daisy Ridley as Fran

Ridley’s portrayal of Fran is central to the film’s impact. She brings a quiet intensity to the role, capturing Fran’s inner world without needing heavy dialogue or grand expressions. Through small, controlled gestures and expressions, Ridley portrays a character who is as intriguing as she is inscrutable. Her performance grounds the film, inviting audiences to empathize with Fran’s solitude even if they can’t fully understand it.

This role showcases a different side of Ridley, moving away from blockbuster roles and into the realm of indie cinema. In Fran, she finds a character who doesn’t need to dominate the screen but instead exists within it, quietly, almost imperceptibly, allowing the audience to see her in a new light.

Supporting Cast Highlights

The supporting cast, particularly Marcia DeBonis as Carol, adds warmth and depth to the story. Carol, a coworker who’s nearing retirement, represents a different facet of life, one that has already been lived with its own set of connections and experiences. DeBonis brings humor and relatability to her role, offering a contrast to Fran’s subdued presence. The small moments of interaction between Fran and her coworkers highlight the different ways people connect—or fail to—in the workplace.

Themes of Isolation and Human Connection: A Universal Story

Fran’s Journey of Self-Reflection

Fran’s story is a subtle exploration of what it means to be human, to want connection, and to fear it in equal measure. Her daydreams about death are less about morbidity and more about the quiet desperation of feeling invisible. The film doesn’t offer simple answers or a clear-cut explanation for Fran’s isolation, instead inviting viewers to find their own interpretations.

Depicting Mental Health with Subtlety

Sometimes I Think About Dying handles the theme of mental health without resorting to clichés or melodrama. Fran’s detachment isn’t explained away by a traumatic event or psychological diagnosis; it simply exists as a part of who she is. This approach is refreshing, offering a nuanced view of isolation and depression that respects the complexity of these experiences.

The film also avoids traditional narratives of redemption or transformation. Fran doesn’t dramatically change by the end of the film; rather, she takes small, significant steps toward connection, reflecting a more realistic portrayal of personal growth.

A Unique Take on Loneliness and Longing

Unlike films that depict loneliness as a condition to be “cured” by love or friendship, Sometimes I Think About Dying shows it as a state that can coexist with connection. Fran’s story reminds us that it’s possible to be both connected and disconnected, engaged and distant. Her life isn’t transformed by meeting Robert, but his presence in her life adds color to her gray world, suggesting that small gestures and moments of connection can make a difference.

The Vision of Rachel Lambert: Creating an Intimate, Grounded Film

A Directorial Approach Rooted in Subtlety

Lambert’s direction brings a grounded realism to the story, capturing Fran’s world without glossing over its bleakness. Lambert avoids grand gestures or overt symbolism, choosing instead to focus on the nuances of Fran’s interactions and the quiet beauty of her surroundings. This approach allows the film’s themes to resonate more deeply, creating an atmosphere that feels both intimate and expansive.

Balancing Dark Themes with Gentle Moments

Lambert skillfully balances the film’s darker themes with moments of levity and hope, allowing Fran’s journey to feel real and relatable. The film’s tone, while somber, isn’t oppressive; it invites viewers to see Fran’s life not as a tragedy but as a story of small but meaningful progress.

Critical and Audience Reception

Ridley’s Performance Shines

Critics have praised Ridley for her portrayal of Fran, noting her ability to convey depth and vulnerability with minimal dialogue. Her performance has been described as “quietly powerful” and “hauntingly relatable,” capturing the complexity of isolation without sensationalizing it.

Mixed Reviews on Pacing

While many appreciate the film’s understated style, some viewers have noted that its slow pacing and restrained tone may not appeal to everyone. For those accustomed to faster-paced narratives, the film’s deliberate pacing can feel challenging. However, this approach is part of what makes Sometimes I Think About Dying so distinctive, offering a contemplative viewing experience that rewards patience.

Conclusion: Why Sometimes I Think About Dying Is Worth Watching

Sometimes I Think About Dying offers a gentle, profound exploration of isolation, connection, and the small steps that bridge the two. It’s a film for those who appreciate quiet stories and subtle performances, for viewers who are willing to look beyond the surface and engage with a story that unfolds in whispers rather than shouts. This isn’t a film about transformation or redemption; it’s about moments of connection and the beauty of small, everyday gestures.

If you’re someone who values introspective films, Sometimes I Think About Dying is worth seeing. Look up showtimes in your area and experience a story that may resonate long after the credits roll, inviting you to reflect on your own connections and the quiet ways we reach out to others.