J.W. Cox’s latest short ‘The Squaller’ is a drama that examines how communities respond to the people they dismiss. When fifteen-year-old Brooke reports her father missing, she’s met with eye-rolls and indifference. Her father is known in town for chasing a local Bigfoot-like legend, and his reputation as a harmless eccentric turns a serious situation into a joke. No one takes her plea seriously. No one except Officer Hope Evans.
Rhyan Hanavan plays Brooke with a natural determination that holds attention. She is strong, already carrying the burden of being the daughter of a man the town refuses to respect. Ashlee Lawhorn brings depth to Officer Evans, a cop navigating her own insecurities while trying to do right by a girl who reminds her of something unresolved in herself. The chemistry between the two actors is genuine and layered, giving the film its emotional core.
Cinematographer Joe Palmer captures the film with top-notch widescreen compositions. The film is technically flawless. The lighting, sound, and editing are all professional in tone and execution. There are moments of comedic levity in the dialogue, but they never undercut the sincerity of the narrative.
What begins as a missing persons report evolves into a thoughtful portrait of belief and protection. Officer Evans follows leads, questions locals, and slowly steps back into a sense of purpose. Brooke, meanwhile, refuses to wait around. Her search is driven by love and frustration. ‘The Squaller’ is not about the creature in the woods. It is about the danger of cultural skepticism and what it costs when people choose to mock rather than listen. A film with heart, purpose and clarity. Don’t miss it.
