Life isn’t easy and it is especially tough to navigate everything on your own. We all need someone to lean on, and often that’s family. We see that play out between a brother and sister in Scrap, a new movie that is now out on VOD.

The film comes from Vivian Kerr, who wrote and directed the film as well as starring in it as single mom Beth. Her daughter, Birdy (Julianna Layne), has been living with her brother, Ben (Anthony Rapp) and his wife Stacy (Lana Parrilla). Beth told them it was because she had to travel to Atlanta for business.

The truth is Beth lost her job—and her apartment. She’s living out of her car, trying to find another job to provide for her and her daughter. But it’s tough going, and she’s afraid to let Birdy or Ben know about her struggles. Eventually, out of options, she asks to stay with Ben and Stacy as well. She claims it’s temporary as she transitions apartments, but she continues to spiral as she searches for answers.

Ben, a writer, is used to taking care of his sister. But he’s got some issues of his own. He and Stacy are desperate to become parents, even trying IVF with no luck. All the back-and-forth with Beth puts him in a tough situation with his wife, even while both of them are desperate to give Birdy everything she needs.

Can these siblings learn to open up and lean on each other before it’s too late?

This is a simple story that we’ve seen done a few times. But it isn’t the plot for these kind of films that help them work, it’s the characters and how much the story appeals to you as a viewer. This feels quite lived in, especially the relationship between Beth and Ben.

That is in part because this film started as a short written by Kerr and starring her and Rapp in these roles. You can feel the familiarity, and how that helps this feature be more fully formed. The film is at its best when it focuses on the relationship between Ben and Beth, Ben and Stacy, and Stacy and Beth.

There are some predictable ups and downs here, and we end in a somewhat predictable spot. But you can’t help but root for these people to get through it all. It’s a pleasant watch that will get you in the feels.

Scrap is now available to rent on VOD.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.