Domestic abuse

Both Eyes Open is a thriller that starts as a domestic violence survivor thriller (a trope I’m not a fan of and will go into detail later), but the story does develop into the terrifying task of making trusting friendships. As a fully grown woman, I think there’s some relatable tension in the task of making new friends. And it’s clear the plot is a tool to tell the story: finding new friends sucks. Writer and director, Ariel Julia Hairston, has a gift for exploring the nuances of friendship among women. As we follow Ally (Gail Bean) through the expected thriller maze of mysterious messages and doubting her own sanity, the film finds its rhythm when Ally is navigating her self-doubt in a very human tug-of-war between an old friend and a new acquaintance.