Unveiling the Truth: In-Depth Review and Summary of ‘What We Hide’ (2025) | Roger Ebert

Dan Kay’s drama “What We Hide” begins with heartbreak. A young mother dies, leaving her daughters, Spider (McKenna Grace) and Jessie (Jojo Regina), alone. The sisters face a tough choice: should they grieve, bury their mother, or pretend life is normal? Spider quickly realizes that without a guardian, they might be separated into different foster homes. So, she decides to take charge, hiding the truth from the world. She struggles to feed Jessie, teaches her to stay silent at school, and avoids friends who might ask questions. All the while, their mother’s shady dealer (Dacre Montgomery) lurks nearby, threatening their fragile peace.

A local sheriff (Jesse Williams), who is also a family friend, tries to help. However, his presence adds to the sisters’ anxiety. Will he be the one to separate them? Can they keep hiding their secret before their supplies run low?

Written and directed by Kay, “What We Hide” nods to the themes in “Winter’s Bone” and “The Boxcar Children,” where young ones fend for themselves after loss. But unlike “Winter’s Bone,” which captures the urgency of searching for a family member, this film lacks that level of tension. Much of the drama unfolds through the sisters’ arguments and their struggle to maintain their secret.

Kay, along with journalist Julia Keller, drew inspiration from true stories about siblings who endure the loss of a parent. Yet, the film doesn’t dive deep. Instead, it stretches the narrative without building genuine suspense. The ending feels predetermined, which may be disappointing for viewers seeking twists.

Overall, “What We Hide” presents itself as a melodramatic tale about topical issues like the opioid crisis. While it raises awareness, it skimps on depth. We’ve seen many stories like this, and the film doesn’t stand out. Its presentation often feels like a typical made-for-TV movie aimed at showcasing its young stars.

Grace and Regina work hard with the material they have. Grace starts with the typical rebellious teen persona but reveals a softer side as her character connects with Jessie and a new romantic interest (Forrest Goodluck, whose return to the screen is a highlight). Regina brings sincerity to her role, echoing Abigail Breslin’s charm in “Little Miss Sunshine.” The sisters carry the narrative, navigating both personal and external challenges.

Despite their efforts, “What We Hide” remains trapped in conventional storytelling, recycling clichés like the dangerous drug dealer and the noble sheriff. The film’s visuals, directed by Pip White, lack the raw impact of “Winter’s Bone”—overlit and unengaging, failing to immerse viewers in Spider’s world beyond a few close-up shots.

Ultimately, the film misses an opportunity to explore the opioid crisis in a more nuanced way. Instead, it offers a straightforward, feel-good story about family and resilience, lacking the convincing weight it aims for.

For more insights on the effects of the opioid crisis, you can refer to organizations like the National Institute on Drug Abuse ([NIDA](https://www.drugabuse.gov)).

Source link