A pair of teenage girls in rural Pennsylvania travel to New York City to seek out medical help after an unintended pregnancy.
When 17-year-old Autumn (Sidney Flanigan) discovers she’s pregnant, she and her cousin Skylar (Talia Ryder) take a bus to a New York City clinic for an abortion. Things take an unexpected turn when Autumn is informed the procedure will take two days instead of one, leaving them in the streets with nowhere to stay. As Autumn and Skylar make their way around, they both reflect on the decision that will remain in their lives forever.
The nurse at the clinic asks Skylar a series of questions pertaining to her sexual history she must answer in response to never, rarely, sometimes or always. This poignant, emotional scene brings forth painful revelations of sexual assault and abuse in her past relationships she never thought she’d disclose. As I watch this intense scene I think of how many others secretly have the same response and if they are ever brave enough to tell. Having run out of money with no way to get home, Skylar resorts to asking Jasper, (Théodore Pellerin) a guy she met on the bus, for the cash but it comes with consequences. The ride home is a mixture of shame and self-reflection as we see the many hidden stories through their eyes.
This film opens up a conversation regarding women’s rights and sexual abuse. I really enjoyed this story as it gives you a look into a young woman’s private journey as she navigates her own life-altering decision. A very deep subject matter that hopefully ignites more discussion.
In Select Theaters Friday, March 13th
