Seven days is all it takes for one woman to reach her breaking point in filmmaker Tony Rakshith‘s short film, A Week. This intimate, micro-budget independent film chronicles a week in the life of Rebecca, a waitress who is facing the return of her abusive husband. The film won Silver at the Independent Shorts Awards and premiered at the Oscar-qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival. It continues to make the rounds on the festival circuit.

Revenge is a Dish Best Served Hot

The film begins on a Monday, and Rebecca (Neva Leoncini) is already facing a difficult day ahead. She tells her colleague at Cadillac Jack’s diner that her volatile husband will be coming home after spending four years in prison. Since his incarceration, Rebecca has been living peacefully, but his impending release sends chills down her spine. Her worst fears come true when her husband (Amir Yassami) suddenly appears at the diner, unannounced and threatening.

The film unfolds over the course of several days, with her husband growing increasingly agitated as time passes. On Thursday morning, Rebecca shows up to work with a bruise on her eye. She claims to have fallen down the stairs, but her boss (James Tolley) knows the real culprit is likely her husband. On Sunday morning, he’s back at the diner again, but this time it’s different. After offering him a plate of hot pancakes, Rebecca smirks as he begins to choke. Her revenge is all going according to plan.

Director’s Statement

“This film was born from a simple yet ambitious idea: to create something that is both fun and profoundly serious at the same time. In a world often divided between light-hearted escapism and heavy drama, I wanted to blend the two, crafting a story where laughter and tension coexist, reflecting the absurd complexities of real life. Suspense forms the backbone of the narrative. I built it deliberately through the structure: careful pacing, escalating stakes, and unexpected turns that keep audiences on edge. At the same time, comedy emerges organically from the actors’ improvisations. By giving them freedom to play within the scenes, we captured spontaneous, authentic moments of humor that feel fresh and unpredictable, turning potentially dark situations into opportunities for wry smiles or outright laughs.

Ultimately, I hope viewers experience that rare thrill of being surprised by joy in the midst of unease. This project is a reminder that life’s most serious moments can also be its funniest and vice versa. It’s an invitation to laugh uncomfortably, question deeply, and embrace the chaos.”

Takeaway

A Week pays homage to the goriness of Tarantino films, while managing to stay contained within the micro-budget space. The production takes place in one location and features a very small cast, resulting in a tight-knit narrative from start to finish. Most notably, Tony Rakshith’s directing ability proves that you can tell a very compelling story with limited resources.