We never truly understand how easy we have it until we meet someone who has it worse. As individuals we tend to always be concerned with the small problems. As teenaged, or younger individuals we are constantly concerned about careers, relationships and the minutia of issues. Yet in all honesty, time helps us understand that somethings cannot be changed. But when we finally meet that one person, and learn more about the world, and in turn ourselves, that is when our perspectives can change for the better.
As a young actress, Celine (Sarah Steele) struggles through the day-to-day. Getting fired from her job causes her to believe that her problems will never be solved. On an impulse, she crashes a support group and turns it into her next role. While there, she meets Josh (Philip Ettinger) and one chaotic night occurs. Amidst the chaos, however, Celine is forced to face the addiction she has to drama.
Titles sometimes hint at what the film may be based around. Yet with Crisis Actor, there are themes hidden deeper within. Lily Platt’s directorial debut is a touching coming-of-age film featuring a script written by her as well. The short’s subject requires that feminine touch which Platt imbues elegantly. In this colourful and witty film, the audience is given a new and engaging perspective of what it is like to be young.
Platt takes us into this smooth and calm world. As the film’s colour and piano diegetic score overlay, we see a crisis unfold beneath. Partnered with her welcoming script is Steele’s portrayal of Celine. As a young actress failing at her craft, there is an innocence there that should not be. She believes she is doing nothing wrong in any aspect of her life. Steele allows for a change from confidence to self-doubt as we move through Celine’s journey.
Where Crisis Actor succeeds and other coming-of-age films remain static is in how your expectations are thwarted. There are plot elements that take you along the lines of predictability. Then just when you think you know what will happen, Celine’s social interactions change what could have been. As she meets this new friend in the group, he teaches her new life perspectives.
I believe coming-of-age is a widely discussed and pondered subject. Yet the truth of the matter is, everyone grows up in their own individual ways. Some people learn from their mistakes and others never will. With a bold directorial debut, Lily Platt shows audiences how one might learn from another.
Crisis Actor had its world premiere as part of the short film program 4 at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. Through no surprise of its own, with the powerful debut and talented acting, Crisis Actor won the Short Film Jury Award: U.S. Fiction. Let us hope that this allows for not just the short to reach more audiences, but for Lily Platt to have the platform to create more.
