There are few issues that constitute heated debates more than gun ownership. It’s a critical conundrum, underpinned by a vicious cycle of past atrocities that could have easily been avoided. Even more upsetting is the fallout that leaves families and communities divided and grieving. Director Hariharasudhen Nagarajan’s feature film, Tether, plants its flag in the aftermath of such a tragedy, utilizing the shifting perspectives of those directly affected. The film was selected to screen at Dances With Films 2025.
For those who keep up with the news, the story will immediately spark familiarity in connection with the Parkland and the Uvalde school shootings, respectively, both of which saw local law enforcement come under heavy scrutiny. Nagarajan and writer Anghus Houvouras frame Tether as a collision of two different, yet not too dissimilar narratives: that of a grieving father, Leonard (Nick Giedris), and a depressed ex-school resource officer, Gerald (Ben Burton).
Leonard’s daughter (Arielle James) was among those whose lives were taken in the senseless violence, and Gerald was one of those blamed for his inability to respond to the attacker. By bringing them together and allowing rage and guilt to fester, the filmmakers manage to tug at every angle seamlessly. Giedris and Burton are sublime, not shying away from showcasing the fluctuating emotions of two broken souls. It’s not just the performances, but what surrounds them that also matters. Tether is a visually smart film, letting homey interiors fall into eerie darkness. Friendly spaces that should feel safe, but aren’t anymore. Then, of course, there are the heartbreaking little snippets of Leonard’s daughter whose home movies are sprinkled in throughout. We never really know just how off the rails Leonard is, and his desperation for some semblance of justice puts the story in a constant limbo, where each choice matters. Tension truly hangs on a knife’s edge.
There’s no easy way of approaching such a pressing topic. Rights are rights, but accountability is a detail that often gets lost in the conversation. Tether goes beyond these conventions and lets the people at the heart of the matter do all the talking. Leonard and Gerald lead different lives, yet their experiences do mirror each other. But are they both too far gone to find common ground?
Director Hariharasudhen Nagarajan and screenwriter Anghus Houvouras deliver a complex character study while addressing one of the grimmest issues plaguing modern Americana.
