A couple’s once-perfect relationship turns tragic in filmmaker Harley Wallen‘s biographical drama, Finding Nicole. Based on the true story of Nicole Beverly, the film portrays her tumultuous relationship with her high school sweetheart turned abusive husband. Nicole’s story was explored in the show “Inside Evil with Chris Cuomo” and “Til Death Do Us Part,” including a top-selling book of the same name. Her story will now get the cinematic treatment in this edge-of-your-seat, empowering indie feature.

Bravely Putting an End to the Cycle of Domestic Abuse

Nicole (Kaiti Wallen) has been with her partner Warren (Mari G.) since high school. She’s a track star and he’s a football player, and the two seemed destined for a happy and healthy marriage. Their relationship, however, is the furthest thing from a happily ever after. Two children and a decade or so later, Nicole is in a courtroom. She is testifying against Warren, who sits next to his lawyer in a state-issued orange jumpsuit. As the narrative jumps between the past and present, we quickly come to understand why Nicole is now in this battle, and we learn that Warren’s increasingly worrisome and violent actions against her and their children have reached a breaking point.

Watch the Finding Nicole trailer here.

At first, the signs of domestic violence are subtle. Warren’s jealous outburst over Nicole’s male friend, despite him being gay, is an example of his wild overreaction. Warren spins his behavior as caring too much, but Nicole knows that is an excuse. The more comfortable Warren becomes in his aggressive behavior, the more intimidating his presence is. He kills a baby bird, gaslights Nicole, and even threatens to kill her and the children. Fast forward to the present: even with Warren in police custody as he is on trial, Nicole still doesn’t feel safe. But with the help of her family, community, and a very thorough lawyer, Nicole finally begins to see a light at the end of this very dark tunnel.

An Empowered Lead Performance Sets the Tone

Finding Nicole blends the best of a courtroom drama with an enthralling crime thriller. Backed by an emotional performance by Kaiti Wallen, the film is a powerful, never-exploitative homage to all survivors of domestic violence. The pacing is measured and controlled, making the jumps in time feel effortless. The music can feel a little too overpowering at times. Nevertheless, the anthemic sounds create an environment that swells with tension. Visually, the film is bathed in a warm hue. This style offers a nice juxtaposition to the film’s darker themes.

Takeaway

Finding Nicole does an incredible service to Nicole Beverly and the countless women who share her story. This empowering tale, taken from Nicole’s book and written for the screen by Harley Wallen and Geoffrey D. Calhoun, proves that domestic violence does not have to be a life sentence. Nicole and her children successfully escaped their abuser, and women in similar situations may find comfort and inspiration in watching her story.