Under the Hawthorn Tree is a tender and harrowing short film directed by Tori Layne and written by Calli Nebe. The story follows Leila (played by Nebe), who returns to her late husband’s family farm seeking solace and connection with her sister-in-law, Sybil (Casey Breneman). As the two women rekindle their bond, Sybil teaches Leila the rhythms of farm life and introduces her to Hawthorn, the farm’s beautiful and symbolic horse. Leila, still reeling from the loss of her husband, wrestles with overwhelming grief and a deep sense of isolation. As tragedy continues to shadow her, the film traces Leila’s difficult path toward acceptance, healing, and the fragile hope that comes after unbearable sorrow.
The collaboration between writer Calli Nebe and director Tori Layne results in a deeply empathetic portrait of shared anguish and feminine resilience. Together, they craft a story where two women, bound by loss, rediscover strength and connection through memory and mutual understanding. Layne’s direction sustains a somber and reflective tone, allowing the emotional undercurrents of Nebe’s script to unfold with quiet intensity. The film’s cinematography (Ruthie Grumbine) is particularly striking, with sun-drenched exteriors and sweeping pastoral vistas that evoke a profound sense of harmony with nature, most notably in the scenes of Leila riding the majestic mare, Hawthorn. The folksy score, anchored by soft piano, strings, and gentle banjo, immerses the audience in the film’s timeless rural setting, suggesting an era that feels closer to the turn of the twentieth century than the modern day. In its brief runtime, the film offers a poignant glimpse into the inner worlds of two women finding fragile hope amid heartbreak.
Nebe delivers an emotionally charged and deeply somber performance as Leila, fully embodying her pain and suffering. Her portrayal radiates both passion and quiet resilience, revealing a powerful sense of inner strength. While audiences witness moments of mental fragility, they also see Leila’s profound compassion for the world around her, a quality that invites unexpected empathy from Sybil.
Breneman, as Sybil, provides a grounding and stabilizing force to Leila’s turmoil. Though she processes the death of her brother in her own way, Sybil gradually recognizes that the bond she forms with Leila becomes a vital foundation for healing, allowing both women to navigate their shared sorrow. Breneman’s performance is rich with emotional nuance; she balances pain and grace with a soft-spoken strength, serving as both emotional anchor and spiritual guide for Leila.
Together, Nebe and Breneman share a striking on-screen chemistry. With nearly the entire film resting on their dynamic, the duo carries the story with raw vulnerability and elusive power, making their performances the emotional heart of the film.
Under the Hawthorn Tree is a powerful and moving film that explores not only grief, but also the strength of human connection and its ability to overcome life’s obstacles. Through a journey of self-discovery, the award-winning film suggests that the path to inner peace often lies in the bonds we share, and in doing so, we ultimately find ourselves.