Written, produced, and directed by Mark A. France, Stating Heather Fairbanks, Troy Randall-Kilpatrick, and Walker Fairbanks, Descend is a drama thriller about a mother/wife suffering from mental illness.

This is not a story that tells itself. It is not a paint by numbers, as my son would say. It’s original, and you don’t know where it’s going or how it will end. There is no”I saw that coming.” You don’t see anything coming. In fact, it’s hard to know what’s real and what’s not real. Your mind asks, “what’s actually happening here.”

It’s a fun ride made that much better by Heather’s incredible acting skills, making you feel her trauma down to the bone. Watching her wash her hands is an emotional journey, and Troy, whose acting skills are natural and real, showcases the emotional pain of a husband watching his wife suffer. They are a dynamic duo on screen. Walker, too shows true talent. I hope to see more of him in the coming years. The supporting cast was also excellent, including Terri Partyka, John Tynan Jr., and Debra LeVassuer, with well-developed and compelling characters.

Mark is a gifted director who understands the nuances of storytelling. There are quiet undertones in his visuals that tell the story when nothing is being said. The actors are not over-directed or under-directed; that is a gift to the viewer. The scenery and set design were simple and beautiful, showing the magnificent beauty of Michigan in many scenes.

This is a wonderful film about the emotional journey of trauma and how a family copes and survives. It’s about the human psyche and love and how or if we can overcome it.

You can catch this at the “I see You Awards” on August 18th.