The amount of pressure athletes put on themselves to perform at their optimal level is intense and incredibly personal. Those who struggle with self-esteem issues may find their insecurities exacerbated by any perceived shortcomings. It’s hard not to take a loss personally when you have given it your all. In filmmaker Will Calkins’ short film On Guard, the young protagonist fights to preserve her ego by inciting a rematch with her fiercest opponent.

Not So Friendly Competition

Jaime (Makenzie Pridgen) is a saber fencer who is having a hard time processing a recent loss. Her emotions run high as she takes her aggression out on a life-size mannequin, who absorbs her frustration and anger with every hit and cut of her fencing sword. She readies herself for a rematch with her biggest competition, Taylor (Sean Mikesh), whom she is preparing to meet for an after-hours duel. Once Taylor arrives, his demeanour makes it clear that he views this rematch as a bout of friendly competition. Jaime, however, doesn’t plan on playing nice. For her, this high-intensity moment is her shot at redemption, and the stakes have never been higher.

The Adage “Write What You Know” Proves Successful

Writer/director Will Calkins captures the nuanced themes of competitiveness and dedication in this pressurized sports drama. A former saber fencer himself, he knows how to highlight the intricate details of the sport to bring this story to life. The shrill frequency of the buzzer, the dark and moody atmosphere of the gym, and the misplaced self-hatred when losing are all key elements. The fencing sequences are electrifying; authenticity radiates from both actors, who spent months choreographing and training for their roles. Keeping in line with other great sports films is the energetic score by composer Brandon Cericola. The abundance of strings and up-tempo cadence perfectly encapsulates this emotionally tense situation.

Director’s Statement

“I was a saber fencer for almost ten years, and On Guard was my way to express how I felt about being an athlete. In fencing and all solo sports, everything rides on you. You don’t have any team that can support you or drag you down. And during these tournaments, dozens to 250 kids will show up, and every single one of them will go home a loser except for one. That can be a lot of weight to carry, especially for someone who isn’t naturally well-balanced mentally.

Jaime is a character that I relate a lot to, not because I would ever intentionally hurt someone over a game, but because I put a lot of pressure on myself over my performance in that sport, and I attached an unhealthy sense of self to it. I think a lot of athletes can relate to that chase, and what I eventually learned was that there was no distance I could go or goal I could achieve that would be “enough.” And I think that’s something a lot of artists can relate to as well when they’re creating. It’s a lesson I will continue learning for a long time.” -Will Calkins, director

Takeaway

Countless athletes, both present and former, will likely find many moments of relatability in On Guard. This complex character portrait was recently screened at the 2026 RiverRun International Film Festival.