Film Review – Rebuilding (2025)

      Rebuilding, 2025.

      Written and Directed by Max Walker-Silverman.

      Featuring Josh O’Connor, Lily LaTorre, Meghann Fahy, Kali Reis, Amy Madigan, Jefferson Mays, Nancy Morlan, Sam Engbring, Binky Griptite, Eli Malouff, Zeilyanna Martinez, and Jules Reid.

      SYNOPSIS:

      After wildfires devastate his ranch, cowboy Dusty finds himself in a FEMA camp, forming connections with others who have lost their homes, including his daughter and ex-wife.

      It may not be surprising, but the title Rebuilding holds multiple meanings for writer/director Max Walker-Silverman. Literally, it tells the story of Oklahoma rancher Dusty (Josh O’Connell, portraying a quiet, timid, vulnerable, and hopeless character who feels like a failure as a partner and father) whose land has been completely destroyed by a wildfire that ravaged numerous plots.

      For now, he lives in a mobile home at a FEMA settlement camp alongside others who have lost almost everything. However, unlike them, he hasn’t lost all of his sentimental belongings due to his separation from his ex-wife Ruby (Meghann Fahy), and he still has a daughter named Callie-Rose (Lily LaTorre, delivering an impressive performance for a child actor). Callie-Rose's grandmother (played by Amy Madigan in a similarly nuanced and emotionally impactful role, despite some familiarity) is also present in her life. There is a necessity to rebuild not just a home, but also important relationships, as these unfortunate circumstances draw Dusty back into their lives.

      However, Dusty appears to have completely lost hope and is uncertain if he even wants to see his daughter again. Without land or a home, he may have to leave Ruby and her new family behind to find a fresh start. While it’s clear that Callie-Rose needs her father, she is also observant, attuned to his emotions, and eager to be with him, despite his feelings of inadequacy. Occasionally visiting the mobile home, Dusty and Callie-Rose connect with the locals while she completes her schoolwork; with no Wi-Fi available, he must drive her to the nearest library's parking lot to access an Internet hotspot.

      This setting naturally lends itself to a poignant narrative about community, as campfire sessions reveal everyone’s heartfelt reflections on what they miss most after their losses from the fires. Dusty shares his thoughts and insightfully realizes this prompts him to consider the things—material or otherwise—that he has already forgotten.

      One of those lines resonates throughout the film, as Dusty comes to terms with what truly matters and what cannot be lost. A school project centered on the family tree further aids in this realization, leading to another touching moment, despite its convenience. Additionally, Dusty struggles as the bank refuses to grant him a loan for a new parcel of land, and the camp dwellers face the challenge of not being able to stay indefinitely (the settlement is designed to last about two weeks, giving residents minimal time to plan their next steps, which is quite insufficient, particularly for the elderly who face complications relating to modern technology).

      Max Walker-Silverman employs a small-scale, slice-of-life approach, focusing on unity in the aftermath of natural disasters and the enduring importance of family and parental responsibilities. Josh O’Connor shines as an actor in sorrowful, defeated roles, this time gradually embracing fatherhood and stepping into the light. Each character within the settlement feels authentic, with their own histories and lives worth caring about. Rebuilding raises questions about what constitutes a home or family but ultimately serves as a gently moving film highlighting reconnection and perseverance, discovering everything in places that seem empty.

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

      Robert Kojder