Watch Back Fork

Back Fork is a 2019 movie that appears to be a uniquely American film, centered around the lives of a dysfunctional rural family. Written, directed and staring Josh Stewart, the film explores the psychological fallout of dealing with tragedy within society's unspoken boundaries. The movie revolves around the life of a West Virginia man named Ray (Josh Stewart) who is struggling with personal demons and intense addiction, which causes a decline in his relationships with his wife, Angie (A.J. Cook) and best friend, Clay (Rory Culkin), whom Ray distrusts. Ray's addiction to opioids is something that he is trying hard to hide, but it keeps spiraling out of control.

Things take a catastrophic turn for the worse when Ray accidentally fatally overdoses his wife. Events then unfold as Ray has to deal with the overwhelming grief of losing the love of his life while trying to maintain his addiction demons at bay. However, the tranquilizer loses its effectiveness on Ray, and soon, he finds himself hooked to harder drugs.

As Ray's dependence on drugs increases, so does his dissociation from reality. He withdraws further and further from the people around him, becoming increasingly isolated and lost. The only way forward for him seems to be to finally confront his own inner demons and find the courage to continue on his journey of self-discovery.

Throughout the movie, Ray is struggling with the harsh realities of a rural America that is still caught in the past. Back Fork highlights the plight of people struggling to make ends meet in the fringes of a prosperous America, where the only thing working for them seems to be the rampant drug abuse and social decay.

Though Back Fork may be a grainy independent film, it is meaningful for its portraits of rural American life through the eyes of Ray, who is grappling with losses that can only come from living in an economically deprived part of the world. The film provides an insight into the struggles and hardships that people living in these areas face every day.

Josh Stewart, in his directorial debut, offers brilliant performances that balance the delicate turbulence that comes with a heavy-heart. Agnes Bruckner, who portrays a local pharmacist, offers a candid performance that is both warm and genuine. A.J. Cook, who portrays Angie, Ray's wife, gives a memorable performance that breaks your heart, establishing her as a talent that needs to be watched.

Overall, Back Fork is a poignant tale of lose, addiction, and self-discovery. It explores the harsh economic realities and social decay that comes with living in a small farming community where opioids and prescription drugs have become tantamount to the American Dream. The film serves as a cautionary insight into the devastating impacts of addiction and a reminder of the need to reckon with the ongoing opioid epidemic that is ravaging rural America.

Back Fork is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.