• Drama

We Strangers 2024

The story follows Rayelle “Ray” Martin (portrayed by Kirby Howell-Baptiste), a resourceful and playful commercial cleaner working in Gary, Indiana. Initially hired by Dr. Neeraj Patel (Hari Dhillon), she later takes on a second job cleaning his mistress's home. Feeling invisible and undervalued, Ray impulsively lies, claiming she can speak to the dead. This small deception unexpectedly gives her power and influence over her wealthy clients—but also places immense emotional strain on her own life. As she navigates this newfound role, the film explores themes of class, assimilation, emotional labor, identity, power dynamics, and the toll of navigating different societal spheres.🧭 Release & Festival Debut We Strangers marks the feature-length directorial debut of Anu Valia, who also wrote the screenplay. It premiered at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival on March 9, 2024, and was released theatrically on August 22, 2025 through Quiver Distribution.🗣️ Critics On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an impressive 90% Tomatometer (10 critic reviews). Critics offer praise for Valia’s sharp examination of privilege and social facades, though some note the narrative doesn’t fully coalesce into a satisfying resolution. IndieWire lauded it as a critics’ pick, commending its fresh vision and tone. Roger Ebert’s review highlights strong visual storytelling and thematic ambition, while also pointing out areas where the narrative feels underdeveloped.🌟 Conclusion: We Strangers We Strangers is a bold and thought-provoking debut feature from Anu Valia that blends satirical drama with surrealist and social commentary. Through the lens of a cleaner who lies about being able to speak to the dead, the film dives into powerful themes—class, assimilation, emotional labor, and the invisibility of service workers. With strong performances (especially from Kirby Howell-Baptiste), sharp visual storytelling, and an emotionally charged premise, the film has resonated with critics, even if some found its resolution a bit uneven. It’s a timely, haunting portrait of the masks we wear—whether to fit in, survive, or gain power—and the costs of those masks slipping. If you're interested in character-driven dramas with a psychological edge and a sociopolitical undercurrent (think Get Out meets Parasite, but quieter and more internal), We Strangers is worth watching. Read More

• 2025
• 1 h : 28 min
• 322 views
• 5.547
• NR