“Bound”

“Bound” is loaded with raw emotional truth, honesty, and a dedication to authentic storytelling. With a steady, confident hand, writer/director Isaac Hirotsu Woofter has crafted a slow burning film that thrives on a deeply personal narrative that feels lived-in and profoundly real.

The film tells the story of Bella (Alexandra Faye Sadeghian), a young introvert who is saddled with some very serious trauma. After discovering her mentally ill and horribly abusive stepfather Gordy (Bryant Carroll) has hidden her college acceptance letter, Bella takes action and decides to flee home with her pet pocket squirrel, Bandit. On the surface, it seems like just another act of teenage rebellion. But Bella’s display of strength by finally taking control of her own life becomes a raw, desperate escape from a home poisoned by secrets, betrayal, and emotional instability.

The performances anchor the story with commendable authenticity and restraint. Sadeghian portrays Bella with a quiet strength, while Carroll gives a terrifyingly convincing performance as a man battling his own demons. The realism here is nothing short of disturbing.

The film’s innovative structure splits the story into two distinct halves: the first a grounded social drama about Bella’s escape and resilience, the second a taut domestic thriller that flips the tone entirely. Bella’s journey of reinvention in New York City is supported by an organically diverse ensemble, including undocumented immigrant Marta (Jessica Pimentel) and lonely war veteran Owais (Ramin Karimloo), offering a compassionate look at the unconventional families we find when our own fail us.

Don’t be mistaken: this isn’t a story bogged down in sentimentality. It goes to bleak, disturbing places. When Bella uncovers a shocking and horrific connection to her past, the film plunges into emotional and narrative chaos. The final act’s cycle of action, setback, and bittersweet resolution feels messy, but deliberately so. Real life doesn’t resolve neatly, after all.

In the end, “Bound” delivers a universal message that feels achingly familiar in its emotional truth: it’s okay to break down, to feel afraid, and to ask for help. This is a film that understands the power of quiet moments, the weight of unspoken trauma, and the necessity of survival. This is a story for anyone who’s ever had to run just to stand still, and anyone who’s still trying to find their peace.

By: Louisa Moore