Watch the first five minutes of Short Term 12, at least until the title comes up, you will without a doubt you be hooked on watching the remainder of this indie drama that came out last summer. The title comes from the film’s setting, a transitional home for kids of all ages between foster homes. At the center of the story is Grace (Brie Larson), one of the more experienced caretakers who has seen it all when it comes to taking care of kids, as well as her fiancée Mason (John Gallagher Jr.). Over the course of the film, we learn more about their relationship, their history, as well as the numerous stories and backgrounds of the kids that they mentor.

What makes the film so captivating is that it’s an exposure to a culture within the United States that most audiences would never see otherwise, but for people who have experienced it directly it is their entire livelihood. Without saying too much, a lot of character development digs into Grace’s past, and there is a heavy irony in her being the kids’ biggest support system, as she is just as emotionally scarred as them. It would be challenging to find more moving sequences of drama than scenes where Grace supports the various teens of the center, each one given their own tactic. It is also an exposé on a broken system, and it should come as no surprise that the foster care program in the US has a long way to go, but it’s the people within it who are making the difference. 

It is also an exposé on a broken system, and it should come as no surprise that the foster care program in the US has a long way to go, but it’s the people within it who are making the difference.

There are two teen characters who are given the most focus: Jayden (Kaitlyn Dever) and Marcus (Lakeith Lee Stanfield). Both actors are given such quality material to work with and they both take it to new heights. There is no melodrama here: the problems they deal with are real and the movie succeeds in showing how these characters handle situations in a way that doesn’t feel contrived. 

There are a few characters who aren’t as well developed. Nate (Rami Malek), the new foster mentor, is a character with the sole purpose of being the link that the audience can relate with. But in more than a few situations, his naïveté with how to handle situations is over-the-top. An inexperienced but more restrained character would create less suspension of disbelief. Regardless, it’s a minor complaint considering the emotional prowess of the rest of the film.

Made for less than a million dollars, Short Term 12 did not get the wide release it should have, only playing in a few cities. However, now that it is streamable on Netflix, there is potential for it to reach much wider audiences, all of whom will be able to connect with the intimate drama in the comfort of their own home. There are challenging parts of this film, but like any good drama, the process is rewarding. I didn’t get to see this movie until recently, but I am certainly glad I was finally able to: it is certainly one of the best movies from last year.