Fatherhood and Forgiveness on the Open Road

Read Time:5 Minute, 11 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Daruma
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Genre: Drama, Comedy
Year Released: 2023, 2025
Runtime: 1h 44m
Director(s): Alexander Yellen
Writer(s): Kelli McNeil-Yellen
Cast: Tobias Forrest, John W. Lawson, Victoria Scott, Barry Bostwick, Abigail Hawk, Austin Basis
Where to Watch: on UK digital September 1, 2025

RAVING REVIEW: Sometimes the most unexpected journeys carry the deepest emotional weight. DARUMA takes that familiar notion and reshapes it into a story that’s genuinely heartfelt in its humanity. At its core, this indie drama doesn’t hinge on disability as a narrative gimmick; instead, it highlights fully realized characters who happen to live with disabilities, allowing their complexities to take center stage. While the film started a little slowly, I wasn’t entirely sure where it was going, but it picked up in the second and third acts to offer a complete story that will get you in your feels!

The story follows Patrick, a paraplegic veteran played by Tobias Forrest. He’s abrasive, self-destructive, and hardly the ideal candidate for fatherhood. When he discovers he has a young daughter, Camilla, the prospect of sudden guardianship forces him to reassess his life—or at least attempt to do so. That reluctance is part of what makes the character feel real. DARUMA doesn’t ask you to like Patrick right away; it lets you sit with his flaws. As a viewer, you might dislike him, pity him, or see flashes of potential all at once. This nuanced characterization keeps the narrative grounded and far from the typical inspirational generalities that often plague stories about people with disabilities.

John W. Lawson’s Robert serves as a perfect counterpoint to Patrick. As a double amputee and fellow veteran, Robert is just as stubborn and cynical, yet his world-weariness hides deep reservoirs of regret. The dynamic between these two men provides much of the film’s sharpest moments—sometimes laced with caustic humor, and others achingly tender. It’s their unlikely, yet forced, plans that power the road trip at the heart of the film. Alongside Victoria Scott’s Camilla, who brings warmth and just the right amount of “aww factor,” this trio forms a makeshift family you can believe in.

Director Alexander Yellen and writer Kelli McNeil-Yellen wisely resist the temptation to sanitize the material. Patrick’s arc isn’t one of overnight transformation; the script allows him to stumble, backslide, and fight against change. This makes his eventual growth feel much more authentic. It’s a film about forgiveness—of others and of oneself—and about how that process is rarely easy. By the time Patrick begins to step into his role as a father, the journey feels deserved rather than handed to him.

One of DARUMA’s greatest strengths is its commitment to authentic representation. Casting Forrest and Lawson, both actors with disabilities, gives the film a level of truth rarely seen in narratives like this. Their performances aren’t framed around overcoming their disabilities; rather, their characters’ lives are shaped by their experiences without being defined by them. This distinction is crucial. The film normalizes disability rather than exploiting it, creating a perspective shift that feels long overdue.

There’s a darkly comedic edge throughout, with humor often undercutting sentimentality at just the right time. That balance keeps the film from becoming cloying, even when its emotional beats are at their heaviest. The supporting cast adds a sprinkle of depth. Barry Bostwick makes the most of his limited screen time, and Abigail Hawk and Austin Basis provide additional texture to the world Patrick and Robert inhabit. None of these characters feels like a mere plot device; they’re part of the world that makes the journey feel lived-in and believable.

Beyond its narrative, DARUMA has a deeper significance. Representation in film often lags behind reality, particularly when it comes to disability. By centering characters with disabilities in roles that explore universal themes—such as parenthood, friendship, and redemption—the film broadens perspectives without feeling didactic. It’s not a message movie, but its very existence sends a powerful message: everyone deserves to see themselves represented as whole, complicated human beings.

DARUMA is the definition of a solid indie drama: heartfelt, flawed, and memorable. It doesn’t aim for perfection; instead, it tells a story that resonates with its audience. You walk away thinking about Patrick, Robert, and Camilla—not just because of their struggles, but because of their humanity. That’s the kind of impact that lingers.

DARUMA may not rewrite the genre, but it reaffirms why these stories matter. It’s dark, funny, emotionally raw, and filled with performances that feel lived-in. More importantly, it’s a film that takes chances studios often won’t—casting with authenticity, telling an inclusive story, and trusting audiences to meet it on its terms. In doing so, it earns its place as a road trip worth taking.

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[photo courtesy of MIRACLE MEDIA]

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