Rounding (2025) - Film Critique

      Rounding, 2025.

      Directed by Alex Thompson.

      Featuring Namir Smallwood, Sidney Flanigan, Michael Potts, Rebecca Spence, Cheryl Lynn Bruce, David Cromer, Max Lipchitz, Kelly O’Sullivan, Bradley Grant Smith, Charin Alvarez, Nadirah Bost, Edwin Lee Gibson, Tim Hopper, Kayla Raelle, Ed Kross, Meighan Gerachis, Sara Deodhar, Larry Neumann Jr., Pierce Cravens, Hanna Dworkin, and Cruz Gonzalez-Cadel.

      SYNOPSIS:

      A dedicated young medical resident seeks a fresh start by transferring to a rural hospital. However, he soon encounters the burdens of his past as he becomes deeply involved with the case of a young asthma patient.

      In "Rounding," director Alex Thompson raises questions about who truly requires assistance: the young woman Helen (Sidney Flanigan, a remarkable talent from "Never Rarely Sometimes Always" who deserves more opportunities) who frequently finds herself in the hospital due to severe asthma without a permanent fix, or her recently transferred doctor James Hayman (Namir Smallwood). While James suspects that something is amiss, he also appears mentally ill-suited for his role, experiencing a psychological deterioration stemming from a traumatic incident at his prior hospital.

      The film opens with text discussing the world's first "physician" from Ancient Greece, who was regarded as a descendant of a Greek God, and how patients then sometimes underwent treatment for exorcisms before the modern understanding of rounding was developed. This context suggests that James may be facing his own demons, a thought validated as he begins to panic and see mythological beings while losing consciousness during stressful patient visits.

      Given this backdrop, one might expect "Rounding" to fall squarely into the horror genre, which holds some truth. It resonates more as a psychological exploration of the difficulties doctors face in their roles (such as feigning composure when delivering tragic news and striving to connect with their patients during sensitive discussions) and the complexities of their patient relationships. The film features authentic performances alongside a plausible depiction of physicians juggling multiple patients simultaneously, while the ongoing mystery surrounding the often-unwell Helen adds intrigue.

      However, when a character mentions that the unfolding events feel "like something typically only seen in the movies," the story begins to seem at odds with reality. This feeling amplifies with the horror elements, which emerge haphazardly, lacking significant imagery, creativity, or emotional weight. Furthermore, shocking revelations in the climax contradict all reasonable logic regarding James's transfer and subsequent promotion, creating a chaotic narrative that is mostly engaging during its difficult patient interactions. Even then, the excessive use of medical terminology may frustrate some viewers and can feel emotionally disconnected.

      It's disappointing, especially considering Alex Thompson (who is not co-directing with his regular partner Kelly O’Sullivan this time, though she appears in a minor role) typically excels at crafting authentic human drama with substance that avoids sentimentality. Here, co-writing the script with Christopher Thompson, the film does not successfully merge genres; instead, it feels like one is being forced into the narrative without a proper fit.

      "Rounding" has been delayed so long that the fundamentally better "Ghostlight" was produced, showcased at Sundance, and released before this received a non-festival airing. The disparity becomes evident after viewing. The film emerges as a muddled assortment of ideas, genres, intentions, and revelations that never culminate into anything coherent or worthy of satisfaction.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★

      Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He also serves as the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check for new reviews, follow him on Twitter or Letterboxd, or email him at [email protected].