The Resemblance (2022) Review: A Moving Short Film About Grief and Regret

 

The Resemblance | 2022 | 15m
Genre: Drama/Short
Country: United States
Director: Derek Nguyen
Writer: Derek Nguyen
Cast: François Chau, Tom Dang, Sumalee Montano
IMDb: 6.6
My Rate: 9/10

An elderly couple hires an actor who bears an uncanny resemblance to their late son, hoping the encounter will ease the pain of their loss.

Warning :

None

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Synopsis of The Resemblance

David (François Chau) and Lan (Sumalee Montano), an elderly married couple, visit an agency that provides actors who physically resemble specific people. Clients use the service for various reasons, from coping with grief to easing the longing for loved ones who have passed away or disappeared.

The couple becomes one of the agency's clients in an attempt to heal from the loss of their only son, Daniel (Tom Dang). Although David is skeptical about the idea, Lan persuades him to give it a chance.

On the appointed day, "Daniel" arrives at their home. The couple is stunned by how closely the actor resembles their son—not only in appearance but also in his mannerisms. Even more unsettling, he seems to know intimate details about their family and the unresolved conflicts they shared before Daniel's death.

Is he truly just an actor, or could he somehow be Daniel himself?

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Review of The Resemblance

Despite its simple premise, The Resemblance delivers a deeply emotional story in just fifteen minutes. Within its brief runtime, the film successfully conveys the weight of grief, regret, and the longing that remains after losing someone we love. The emotional conflict is carefully developed, allowing the resolution to feel both satisfying and meaningful.

The film's atmosphere is one of its greatest strengths. The music subtly reinforces the emotional tone, while the dominant brown and dark color palette creates a quiet sense of melancholy. Combined with the cast's excellent performances, these elements form a moving and immersive experience. It is easy to understand why the film received the Best Film award at the New Mexico Asian Film Festival.

What resonates most is the film's reminder to cherish the people we love while they are still with us. Once they are gone, regret often becomes the only thing left behind. We never know when a conversation, a goodbye, or even an ordinary day will become our last. Because of that, every moment deserves to be treated with care.

Even so, the ending leaves one intriguing question unanswered: is the "Daniel" who visits David and Lan truly just an actor? His striking resemblance, familiar mannerisms, and detailed knowledge of their family's past make the answer intentionally ambiguous. Rather than weakening the story, this mystery adds another emotional layer, inviting viewers to interpret the ending for themselves.

This short film also has the potential to be expanded into a feature-length production. With additional character development and a deeper exploration of its central mystery, the story could become even more compelling. However, its greatest strength lies in its emotional simplicity, and preserving that intimacy would be essential.

Overall, The Resemblance is a touching short film that quietly reminds us that love is often appreciated most when it is no longer within our reach.

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Memorable Scene

The father, who has spent the entire film trying to remain strong, finally breaks down in tears. In that moment, he realizes that his own pride and stubbornness played a part in losing his son.

This scene beautifully captures how our own ego can sometimes create distance from the people we love. The greatest pain often comes when we recognize our mistakes only after it is too late, leaving us with nothing but regret.

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Memorable Dialogue

"Do you remember what you said to me before I left?"

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Ending:

Happy Ending

Recommendation:

Must Watch

(Aluna Uwie)

Had been published in Alunauwie.com
"This article was originally written in Indonesian and has been adapted into English for international readers."