Short Term 12
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton
- drama
The story
Grace, a compassionate young supervisor at a foster care facility, helps at-risk teens. But when a new charge dredges up memories of her own troubled past, Grace's tough exterior begins eroding.
What it’s like
Handheld camera stays close to faces in cramped, fluorescent-lit rooms, with a warm, grainy digital texture that makes the group home feel lived-in rather than institutional: cinderblock walls, scuffed linoleum, afternoon light slanting through blinds, a rooftop at dusk where the city goes soft and blue. The score is sparse and restrained, so long stretches rely on ambient room noise, shouted hallway banter, and the scrape of a chair. The vibe is raw but tender, a quiet, bruised empathy with flashes of dark humor. Pacing is patient and conversational, with scenes that linger on small gestures between staff and kids. Emotional register runs heavy: this is a story about a young woman who cares for others by protecting her own history, and about the slow, uneven trust that grows between her and a teenager carrying similar wounds. Intensity is high in emotional terms. Child abuse, self-harm, a suicide attempt, and disclosures of sexual abuse are discussed and sometimes shown in tense, painful moments, with restraint scenes and outbursts; violence is brief rather than gory, and nothing is graphic. Not gentle. For viewers who want an honest, humane portrait of foster care and trauma, the film suits a late, reflective evening rather than light viewing.
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