The Worth of Life

The Worth of Life follows Tyler (Micah Tsekiri), a young filmmaker struggling with his mental health after the death of his mother. Consumed by grief and anger, he hires Jordan (Rico Bowlin), a struggling cameraman, to help him make a documentary on men’s mental health and capture a single day of raw, unfiltered footage of his family. As the camera continues rolling, Tyler’s personal wounds bleed into the film, and the narrative explores the implications of his actions.

The Worth of Life presents a raw, uncompromising tale of grief and betrayal, with incredibly grim subject matter that may be hard for some viewers to stomach. That said, its focus on men’s mental health and its shining a light on that subject matter are commendable and make the experience worth seeking out. Its presentation, in particular, feels raw due to the handheld camerawork and suburban setting. The camerawork helps ground the narrative and feels evasive in dialogue-heavy sequences that reveal aspects of grief and anger. Despite how grim the narrative can feel at times, the filmmakers really capture the importance of family and community while spreading a hopeful message through discussions of men’s mental health.

The narrative takes its time to delve into themes of gender roles, support for family and the idea of what it means to be a man. Each dialogue exchange feels raw and like a fly-on-the-wall experience due to its hyper-realism. While the choppy editing choices at times may take viewers out of the experience, the dialogue and performances make up for it. The central character, Tyler, has an enthusiasm which shines through each frame, and the narrative takes its time to flesh out his personality and commitment to championing men’s mental health, as it is sometimes treated as taboo. It also pulls the rug from under the viewer and makes you question Tyler’s moral choices and perception of women.

One of the most visceral aspects of the experience is the mix of handheld and fixed photography throughout. Its gritty aesthetic is raw, and it never loses focus on the two central characters as they roam around the streets of London. The handheld cinematography is incredibly pulse-pounding during an intense sequence and helps ground Tyler and Jordan’s perspectives. Another commendable technical aspect is the use of music throughout, with haunting motifs that perfectly accompany the subject matter.

The central performance from Micah Tsekiri in his portrayal of Tyler is incredibly nuanced, and he balances the comedic and dramatic tension exceptionally well. Rico Bowlin’s portrayal of Jordan is also incredibly raw, and his chemistry with Micah Tsekiri is endearing, keeping the narrative engaging. The supporting players are also unforgettable and add to the complexity of Tyler’s struggles while further fleshing out his issues with mental health.

While the narrative does lose some steam towards its conclusion as it loses sight of the central subject matter, the final third recontextualises certain aspects of the narrative. It does so by reflecting on the actions of both Tyler and Jordan in making the documentary. It's a bold and evocative conclusion that brings closure to certain narrative beats and makes the journey rewarding despite some of its pitfalls.

The Worth of Life is a tough watch; however, it unapologetically feels raw in its subject matter and presentation while capturing the everyday life of a struggling individual grappling with his grief. Anchored by two phenomenal lead performances and exceptional formalism, The Worth of Life is a gritty drama that offers introspection and closure to its characters and themes.