MOVIE REVIEW
The Coder
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Genre: Short, Thriller
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 14m
Director(s): Will Crouse
Writer(s): Will Crouse
Cast: Abbey Toot, Mickey O’Sullivan, Sean Kazarian, Yuchi Chiu, James Dawson
Where To Watch: shown at the 2024 Dances with Films (New York)

RAVING REVIEW: Stepping into the fray, THE CODER crafts a narrative rich with tension and deep personal stakes. Directed by Will Crouse, this brisk 15-minute film captures the volatile energy of a cryptocurrency start-up teetering on the edge of disaster. Mary is central to the unfolding drama, enacted with grit and grace by Abbey Toot, whose journey from a composed professional to a beleaguered programmer highlights the personal toll of technological ambitions.

Mary's professional life takes a nosedive as she navigates through the storm of failing software and disillusioned investors, her digital tools becoming liabilities. As the code she crafts begins to crumble, so too does the stability of her customers, igniting a maelstrom of complaints and escalating tensions within her team. Thad, the company's CEO, portrayed with strict denial by Mickey O’Sullivan, drives his staff towards an unrealistic vision, often ignoring the harshness of their technological failings.

This film does more than just tell Mary's story; it serves as a broader critique of a tech culture obsessed with progress, often at the expense of the very individuals it relies on. Crouse uses his lens to magnify Mary's breakdown and the systemic neglect of employee well-being for innovation.

While Toot's stellar performance is highlighted in THE CODER, the ensemble cast contributes with characters like Ellis, played by Sean Kazarian, and Aaron, portrayed by Yuchi Chiu. These characters embody the diverse reactions of team members navigating corporate upheaval—from fighting back to buckling under pressure.

This story is dying to be extended into a feature film; there’s so much potential in the untold stories that connect it all! My only real knock on the film is that I wanted more—I wanted to feel that anxiety and dread!

One interesting aspect of the feature-length version of THE CODER that could be explored is the impact of the start-up's technology on its end users. This critical element often goes unmentioned in tales of technological woe. The film subtly hints at how the faulty app affects its users' financial health but could delve deeper into the ripple effects this has on their lives. Exploring this dimension would heighten the stakes and broaden the narrative's scope to reflect on the societal implications of fintech failures. This theme could serve as a poignant reminder of the broad-reaching consequences that tech companies can have on ordinary people's daily lives.

As THE CODER reaches its climax, it reflects on the sacrifices made on the altar of progress, effectively commenting on the need to balance mental health with the relentless pursuit of technological advancement. Premiering at the Dances with Films New York 2024 festival, this film is a testament to Crouse's evolving narrative prowess, resonating deeply with modern-day dilemmas faced by tech industry professionals.

THE CODER is a concise yet powerful film that marries the personal with the professional in the fast-paced world of tech startups. It urges viewers to consider the hidden human stories behind each line of code and the importance of nurturing the minds and spirits of those pushing technology's boundaries.

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