Imagine a drug that could bring back those you lost through vivid hallucinations while exacting a dangerous toll in the process. Lila (Laura Coover) is a recovering addict of this drug, called Amesten, which she uses to communicate with her late son, Bodie (Dawson Sweeney). With his birthday just around the corner, Lila must choose between saving herself or seeing him one more time by indulging in the dangerous substance. Executive produced by Academy Award nominee Abigail Breslin, As Easy As Closing Your Eyes takes a minimalist approach to sci-fi, diving into the depths of grief.
The film feels like a successor to Charlie Brooker’s hit Netflix series Black Mirror. Technology has a role to play, highlighting how society can regress when given the wrong tools and gadgets. Likewise, themes of people choosing to ignore their everyday lives to slip into a “better place” also appear. As Easy As Closing Your Eyes certainly has some moments where it leans into its futuristic premise, but it keeps the human side of the story front and center. Lila’s struggle to let go of Bodie is the crux of the short, and it is what makes it stand out amongst others in its genre.
The opening segment, a group meeting for recovering addicts, treats the entire Amesten epidemic with seriousness. It’s here that we learn of its power, including the disturbing side effects of unnaturally dilated pupils in users. Instead of treacherous AI and virtual reality, Amesten puts its consumers into a dream-like scenario, letting them live in a world with loved ones who are no longer around. Under the influence, the person has no control over their awareness, leading to fatal accidents and situations. The implications are disturbing enough, but the filmmakers go the extra mile in making this form of substance abuse terrifying from multiple perspectives. From the ominously dreamy visions to people swaying in the streets, it almost feels like a direct reference to the Tranq epidemic of modern Philadelphia.
Coover’s performance as Lila is downright devastating. Forced smiles lead to breakdowns when nobody is around, and her life spirals to the point where it’s unclear whether she’ll pull herself back up. Her soul is in limbo at every second as she contemplates giving in to the relief Amesten offers. Writer/director Parker Croft and co-writer Aaron Golden navigate this tricky territory empathetically, lending beauty to this uncertainty, especially given how desperate Lila becomes on the day of Bodie’s birthday. Not even her brother Kieran (Sean Marquette) can bring comfort at her darkest hour. The night drags on, and the temptation to see her son becomes all too strong. It places you in a position where you aren’t sure what or who to side with. Should Lila give in, and if not, what does she have to live for?
As Easy As Closing Your Eyes explores drug abuse in the near future, often provoking contemplation, while delving into the mind of a grieving mother whose life is on the brink.
