In this lovely second feature, director Brandon Buctez takes his home of Los Angeles and attempts to dig beneath the superficial arts on the outside of Hollywood to reveal the truth found in relationships steeped in miscommunication, leaving the feeling of loneliness as the two cannot get past the ways of their old relationships.

The film studies Alex and Frankie, two artists trying to love and live in LA, after a chance encounter in which their art pulls them together. As people who hook up, the two find themselves spiralling in the new waves of feelings that they have. They must navigate their past, their relationship with each other and their perspective on relationships to discover if they work with one another.

The film uses Frankie’s art of dance as the key motif in the film as it is a constantly reoccurring event that we see over the course of the film. In particular, the film uses a wonderful, long choreographed sequence to tell the story of the film before we get into it. The feeling and artistic expression in these moments invites us to discover what these feelings that the dance gives us will be in the film and how these moments come in a more grounded, romantic drama.

The two leads are excellent as Nico Greetham (American Horror Story) and Piper Cuther (May December) have to carry the vast majority of this film as the story remains focused on their central relationship and characters. The chemistry between the two is excellent, especially for an indie. The two rattle off one another nicely and both have a strong connection in how they interact but also some cold exteriors at points that show themselves later on in the film.

The film is a very honest look at relationships, the good and the bad. It’s revealed in the conversations, the intimacy and the silence. This breakdown of LA’s love culture is profound and cutting. It definitely feels pulled from the heart and that is captured in every frame. The soft lighting that we get to see is the same beauty that we see in this relationship at its high points. Even so, the film shows that love is very difficult and the world that we find ourselves in may make it even harder. It’s important we prioritize those we love and make space for them, even in a chaotic and crazy world. This film knows that better than most.

Something Casual premiered at Dances with Films ’25.