“Something Casual” is a modern relationship drama that feels very much a product of its time, for better and for worse. Writer and director Brandon Buczek’s film leans hard into the idea that falling in love today isn’t a straight line, but is akin to a messy, repetitive dance. It’s not a bad perspective on which to base a movie, but Buczek beats that idea over and over again with the loudest drum possible.
The film follows Latino artist Alex (Nico Greetham) and professional dancer Frankie (Piper Curda) as they drift in and out of each other’s lives in the emotionally detached and heavily online dating scene in Los Angeles. Their connection is obvious from the start, but instead of letting go and submitting to the desire, they both decide to keep it casual. That means seeing other people, dodging real conversations, and getting stuck in a cycle of ghosting, misreading signals, and then falling right back into each others arms again.
What works best here is how relatable (and occasionally exhausting) it all feels. The movie really taps into modern dating anxiety and the way apps, ambiguity, and endless options can leave people more isolated than ever. If you’ve spent any time navigating the dating scene in the last decade, there are moments that hit a little too close to home. And if you haven’t, this might double as a cautionary tale.
There’s a strong thematic highlight on intimacy, like how people crave it but also actively avoid it. Alex and Frankie aren’t just unlucky in love, they’re almost conditioned to sabotage it. That push-pull dynamic carries the film, even when the story starts to meander.
The dance motif is a nice touch in theory, especially with Frankie’s profession, but there are too many long, drawn out modern dance sequences sprinkled throughout. They’re visually interesting, but are indulgent and slow things down more than they add to the narrative.
Buczek obviously writes from a place he knows, as his portrayal of relationship highs and lows feels spot-on. The film doesn’t shy away from the full spectrum of couplehood, including the passion, fights, miscommunication, and obsession, highlighting the truth of how quickly things can swing between them. In doing so, the film captures the chaotic rhythm of a relationship that never quite stabilizes.
Although it can be slightly uneven, “Something Casual” is a thoughtful look at love in the age of detachment. It’s frustrating, familiar, and occasionally poignant, a film that understands how hard it is not just to find love today, but to recognize it when it finally shows up.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 