Guilt, Trauma, and a Life-Changing Encounter

Read Time:4 Minute, 51 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Plastic Men
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Genre: Horror
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 1h 21m
Director(s): Samuel Gonzalez Jr.
Writer(s): Samuel Gonzalez Jr.
Cast: James Preston, Aaron Dalla Villa, Matthew Fahey, Gigi Gustin, William Fichtner
Where To Watch: TBA

RAVING REVIEW: War may end on the battlefield, but it never stops for some. THE PLASTIC MEN takes this idea and turns it into an emotionally charged and unsettling experience, pulling the audience into the fragmented mind of a Vietnam veteran struggling with guilt, paranoia, and an overwhelming sense of isolation. Instead of focusing on combat, the film explores the invisible scars left behind that don’t heal with time and can’t simply be left in the past. This psychological war drama is as much about memory as survival.

At the heart of the story is Jonathan Teller, a veteran tormented by his past, portrayed by James Preston. His performance is layered, capturing the exhaustion of a man carrying his past burdens for far too long. There’s no exaggerated monologuing or forced emotional outbursts—just a quiet, simmering desperation that feels disturbingly real. He’s not just haunted by what he’s done but by the weight of what he couldn’t prevent, and this internal battle is what drives the film forward. His struggles feel lived-in, making every small victory and setback resonate much more.

Director Samuel Gonzalez Jr., who brings his military background into the project, ensures the story never loses depth. His understanding of the veteran experience gives the film an edge that many war dramas lack, grounding even its more stylized moments in a truth that’s hard to ignore. There’s an unshakable sincerity in how the film portrays trauma—not as something that can be overcome through a single act of redemption but as an ongoing battle that requires constant effort. Gonzalez isn’t interested in easy resolutions, making the film all the more impactful.

The film leans into its psychological themes with a muted, almost washed-out color palette. The cinematography often traps Teller within tight frames, emphasizing his isolation, while handheld shots inject a sense of immediacy that makes his downward spiral feel all the more claustrophobic, and these techniques immerse the audience in his unstable world.

Structurally, the film jumps between the past and present, weaving memories into the story to give a fuller picture of Teller’s torment. This approach effectively shows how trauma doesn’t operate on a linear timeline—it creeps in uninvited, demanding attention at the worst moments.

One of the film’s strongest elements is how it addresses the treatment of veterans after the war. The title itself is a stark commentary on how service members are often discarded, left to navigate a world that has moved on without them. This theme is woven into Teller’s journey without heavy-handed exposition, making its impact even more profound. The film doesn’t just ask viewers to sympathize with his struggles—it demands they confront the reality of what it means to come home only to feel like there’s no home left.

The supporting cast adds further depth to the narrative, with Aaron Dalla Villa and Gigi Gustin bringing perspectives that expand the world beyond Teller’s headspace. William Fichtner’s narration adds another layer, giving insight into the protagonist’s mindset while allowing certain moments to breathe without excess dialogue. The film understands when to let silence do the talking and that restraint works in its favor.

Musically, the film takes a restrained approach, using its score to enhance rather than dictate emotions subtly. There are no overbearing swells or manipulative crescendos; the music underscores the film’s heavier moments with a quiet, lingering presence. This choice allows the performances and visuals to carry the story’s weight rather than relying on sound to do the heavy lifting.

THE PLASTIC MEN is less about war itself and more about the echoes it leaves behind. It doesn’t try to offer a definitive answer on how to heal from trauma or present a simple path toward closure. Instead, it captures the reality of living with the past, the unpredictability of finding hope, and the importance of those fleeting moments that can make all the difference. It’s not a flawless film, but it’s undeniably affecting.

With its upcoming release on Amazon Prime, the film has a real opportunity to reach an audience that might not normally gravitate toward independent dramas of this nature. Anyone looking for a thoughtful, emotionally driven story will find something worth engaging with here. It’s the kind of film that doesn’t just tell a story—it asks you to sit with it, process it, and maybe even see the world differently when it’s over.

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[photo courtesy of HEARSE PRODUCTIONS, GLASS HOUSE DISTRIBUTION]

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