JANE’S NOT HERE has its world premiere on Sunday, June 21st at 6:30 PM at Dances with Films 2026, and I had the opportunity to see it ahead of its release. Here’s my spoiler-free take:
JANE’S NOT HERE is a psychological thriller written and directed by Jonathan Oster. It presents a fascinating glimpse into what makes us what we are. Our spirit is filled with our essence. It is what drives us, especially when the main character is a mother.Â
There is no bond as strong as a mother’s love for her child. It transcends time and space. It is a powerful force that cannot be broken even in death. JANE’S NOT HERE showcases this concept and will take audiences on a magical, mystifying journey that is not easily forgotten. Â
Making this idea ring true rests on Amelia Barr’s strong acting talents. She will guide viewers inside the angst and confusion of her character. She continually had me in the palm of her hand with her fine, subtle acting choices. Her silent beats spoke volumes. I both believed and doubted her amazing story. She played both sides of the coin brilliantly and creatively. The plot worked and made perfect sense, even though it was a bizarre premise.
Oster held a tight rein on the character’s emotional arcs. It was understated, yet left room for audiences to consider the power of two words… what if? My only nit is the length. Perhaps editing 10 minutes from the final cut would have helped maintain the overall pacing to reach that last frame.Â
JANE’S NOT HERE held my attention and made me, as a mom, wonder how far I would travel for my children. The answer is blatantly obvious and joyfully revealed in this film as our hearts and souls soar with awe and wonder.Â
