Life, Loss, and the Spaces That Connect Us

Read Time:4 Minute, 37 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The In Between
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2024, 2025
Runtime: 1h 22m
Director(s): Robie Flores
Where To Watch: premieres on Independent Lens on February 10, 2025

RAVING REVIEW: THE IN BETWEEN is one of those rare experiences where a film offers something more, an untenable connection to the subjects on screen that can’t be described. This documentary doesn’t just capture a place or a moment in time—it creates an emotional bridge between past and present, grief and rediscovery. Director Robie Flores takes a deeply personal journey back to Eagle Pass, Texas, to reconnect with the life she left behind and the brother she lost, crafting a story that feels intimate yet universally resonant.

The documentary combines personal memories and community history through an unconventional structure. Flores incorporates her brother Marcelo’s recordings into the narrative, allowing his presence to remain a guiding force. Rather than simply telling her story, she expands it to reflect the broader life experience in a border town, where cultures blend, identities shift, and histories are inextricably tied to a larger social fabric.

By grounding the film in the everyday experiences of Eagle Pass residents, Flores sidesteps the sensationalized narratives that often surround border communities. The film focuses on the nuances of daily life, from casual conversations to celebrations, capturing the region's unique pulse. In doing so, it highlights the warmth, resilience, and complexity of a place often misrepresented in media.

One of the documentary's strongest elements is its ability to make the personal feel universal. Though deeply rooted in one location, its themes of self-discovery, loss, and reconnection resonate far beyond the borders of Eagle Pass. The idea of feeling caught between two worlds—between childhood and adulthood, between heritage and identity, between the past and the present—transcends geography.

The film leans into a raw, vérité style, embracing an immersive approach that makes everything feel immediate and unfiltered. Flores steps back and lets moments speak for themselves, trusting in the power of observation. The cinematography captures the physical landscape and its emotional weight for those who call it home. The Rio Grande, often depicted as a dividing line, becomes more reflective—a quiet, flowing presence that mirrors the film’s introspective tone.

Those expecting a structured narrative or a deep dive into political issues may find themselves waiting for something that never arrives. Instead, THE IN BETWEEN is more concerned with emotional resonance, favoring quiet reflection over exposition. The film isn’t in a rush, and its impact builds gradually rather than hitting with immediate force.

THE IN BETWEEN offers an experience that lingers with us. Flores crafts a deeply personal story that extends far beyond her grief, creating a portrait of a place and its people rich with meaning. She captures the contradictions of life at the border—the merging of cultures, the weight of history, the sense of being both connected and apart.

Rather than providing easy answers, the film explores the complexity of identity. Returning to her hometown, Flores isn’t just rediscovering a place she called home; she’s reconstructing a relationship with the past. Her brother’s recordings become an active dialogue between the person she was and the person she is now.

THE IN BETWEEN exists between memoir and observation, personal reflection, and shared experience. It’s not just about looking back—it’s about finding a way forward, about the spaces connecting us to what we’ve lost and still have. With quiet confidence, emotion can emerge naturally, making its impact all the more powerful.

By the film's final moments, it’s clear that this isn’t just about one family’s story. Flores’s approach to the subject matter is tender—never overly sentimental, never seeking easy resolutions. Instead, she offers something more honest: a story that feels real, lived-in, and deeply human.

For those who appreciate a documentary that values emotion over exposition and embraces quiet moments, THE IN BETWEEN is an unforgettable experience. The film explores the longing to understand where we come from and what that means for where we’re going. It’s a film that stays with you, not because it demands attention but because it earns it.

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[photo courtesy of INDEPENDENT LENS, ITVS, PBS]

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