Watch Exit Elena

Exit Elena (2012) is a psychological drama directed by Nathan Silver. The film follows the life of an ambitious and troubled young woman, Elena (Kia Davis), who is hired as a live-in caregiver for a family in upstate New York. Lawrence (Lawrence Michael Levine) and Cindy (Cindy Silver) are the parents of a young man, Nick (Nick Flessa), who has a mental disability. Elena has no experience as a caregiver, but she is confident that she can handle the job.

The first few days on the job are difficult for Elena. She struggles to connect with Nick and often clashes with Lawrence, who is controlling and critical of her. However, as time goes by, Elena begins to develop a relationship with Nick, and she starts to see some progress in his behavior. Nick, too, initially dislikes Elena, but he eventually warms up to her and comes to depend on her care.

Meanwhile, Cindy spends much of her time away from the house, leaving Elena alone with Lawrence and Nick. This leads to a strange and complicated dynamic between the three of them. Elena becomes increasingly isolated and disoriented, and Lawrence's strange behavior starts to make her question her own sanity.

One of the movie's most significant themes is the idea that people tend to project their fears and insecurities onto others. Lawrence, in particular, is shown to do this with Elena. He holds her responsible for Nick's behavior and unapologetically criticizes her for not being able to "fix" him. This criticism is particularly damaging to Elena, who is already struggling with her own identity and purpose in life.

The film's cinematography is notable for its subdued and naturalistic style. There are long, still shots that emphasize the emotional distance between the characters. The music is minimalist, sometimes consisting of only a few notes played on a piano. This understated approach contributes to the sense of unease that permeates the film.

Exit Elena is a slow-burning film that builds tension over time, leading to a climactic and emotionally devastating ending. The film is a meditation on the complexities of human relationships, the blurry line between sanity and madness, and the dangers of projecting one's own fears onto others. The performances of the cast are noteworthy, particularly Kia Davis, whose portrayal of Elena is both vulnerable and tenacious. Lawrence Balin and Jim Chiros also give strong performances as the complex and contradictory characters of Lawrence and Nick.

Overall, Exit Elena is a film that explores the darker aspects of the human psyche with sensitivity and nuance. It is a thought-provoking and haunting movie that is sure to linger in your mind long after the credits have rolled.

Exit Elena is a 2012 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 10 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 70.