A Heartfelt Story of Growth and Belonging

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MOVIE REVIEW
Deuce
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Genre: Drama, Short
Year Released: 2025
Runtime: 18m
Director(s): Margot Budzyna
Writer(s): Margot Budzyna, Christian Tasiopoulos
Cast: Arabella Olivia Clark, Lynden Miles Ley, Eli D Goss, Delaney Anne Cuthbert, Will McMahan, Skyla Ward, Xavier Rosario
Where To Watch: shown at the 2025 Slamdance Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: DEUCE captures a moment in time that so many can relate to, but few films have tackled it with such authenticity. It’s a coming-of-age tale that doesn’t rely on exaggerated conflicts or melodrama but focuses on the quiet, personal battles that define growing up. Set against the backdrop of a small town in Massachusetts, the film offers a deeply personal and nuanced look at the subtle yet seismic shifts that occur when childhood innocence meets the world's expectations around them.

At the heart of the story are Michael (Lynden Miles Ley) and Addie (Arabella Olivia Clark,) two inseparable best friends who have grown up in a world of shared experiences where gender never dictated the rules of play. Their days are spent in a space free of labels, where being together is all that matters. That illusion shatters when Michael joins an all-boys baseball team, stepping into an environment where masculinity comes with both spoken and unspoken expectations. Suddenly, Addie finds herself on the outside, not because she isn’t talented, but because the world has decided she doesn’t belong. Their bond is now challenged by a system neither of them created but are both expected to conform to.

DEUCE thrives on its ability to make every moment feel real. Director Margot Budzyna captures the quiet frustrations, the silent disappointments, and the longing for something just out of reach. The small-town setting enhances the film’s themes of community and exclusion, reinforcing that sometimes the most significant struggles happen in places that feel the most familiar.

One of the film’s most compelling aspects is its commitment to representation on and off the screen. The production assembled a diverse, international team focused on LGBTQIA2S+ inclusion, ensuring that the themes of identity and self-discovery were present in the story and woven into its very foundation. This dedication enhances the film’s authenticity, clarifying that DEUCE isn’t just telling a story about belonging—it actively fosters it.

The lead actors' performances, Clark as Addie and Ley as Michael, add so much to the film's core. Their chemistry is effortless, and their performances showcase the struggles of navigating new worlds. One of the film’s most memorable moments comes when Addie, alone in Michael’s room, tries on his baseball uniform. For her, it’s more than just an outfit—a symbol of the life she’s being denied. But when Michael walks in and tells her that it’s not hers, the weight of those words goes beyond the literal meaning. It’s a heartbreaking moment that speaks volumes about how quickly childhood can be replaced with expectations.

The screenplay by Budzyna and co-writer Christian Tasiopoulos is deceptively simple, relying on minimal dialogue and unspoken tension to drive the story. The silence between characters speaks just as loudly as their words, allowing the audience to absorb the weight of their emotions rather than being spoon-fed exposition. This approach makes the film feel honest—sometimes, growing up isn’t about what’s said but about what’s left unsaid.

DEUCE doesn’t just tell a story about growing up—it invites the audience to reflect on their experiences with change, exclusion, and identity. It doesn’t offer easy answers or try to force a resolution where one doesn’t exist. Instead, it presents a moment in time, a shift, and allows viewers to sit with the emotions it evokes.

Budzyna’s connection to the material is evident, making the film’s themes resonate even more. DEUCE's treatment of identity, gender roles, and the bittersweet nature of childhood friendships feel personally and universally relevant. It’s a story that lingers, not because it shouts its message but because it lets the audience feel it.

DEUCE is a testament to the power of storytelling. It finds strength in subtlety, allowing small moments to speak volumes. It reminds us that growing up isn’t just about getting older—it’s about learning where you fit in and, sometimes, realizing that the spaces you once belonged to aren’t as open as they used to be. For Addie and Michael, this realization comes at a cost, but the beauty of the film lies in its ability to capture that struggle with sincerity and heart.

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[photo courtesy of BLUE ROAD PICTURES]

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