Sometimes things go wrong. Despite our best intentions. Despite the best efforts. Despite trying to put things right, it just doesn’t turn out as we’d hoped. And, often, those memories and incidents can define us long after they’ve passed.

That’s the case with Blue Heron, the new film from writer/director Sophy Romvari. It’s a personal tale that stretches from the present to the past, interrogating memories and what could have been done differently.

As we begin, a family is moving into a new home on Vancouver Island. For Mother (Iringo Reti), Father (Adam Tompa) and the four children, it’s a fresh start. And it’s one the family needs, especially the oldest, Jeremy (Erik Beddoes). He’s had a rough go and the family is hoping this move can be a way to get back on track.

We see most of it through the eyes of young Sasha (Eylul Guven), who is watching her parents struggle as Jeremy seems increasingly lost. Jeremy gets in trouble and continues to act out, causing her family more grief during a stressful summer.

As we flash forward, an adult Sasha (Amy Zimmer), now a filmmaker, is still trying to grapple with the past. She is haunted by her childhood, her brother’s struggles, and what they might have been able to do differently.

We have a rare gift right now as Romvari’s short films are available on the Criterion Channel. I watched through them, and you can see the filmmaking and storytelling style that led toward the crafting of Blue Heron. It feels like a personal story, and it’s told through a personal lense. It starts as something quiet and contemplative, but as it unfolds and the present and the past merge in a unique way, it becomes quite emotionally engaging.

This isn’t the kind of loud, action-packed film that often draws an audience. It requires that you sit with the material and let it wash over you. But it’s a narrative you’ll be thinking about after the screening ends. It’s just 90 minutes, but it packs a punch, especially as we see where this story is going.

I deeply appreciated Romvari’s craft and the way she unfolds the story. I enjoyed the move to the present, and the way Zimmer picks up Sasha’s story in a haunted way. I was fascinated by the way this played out and emotionally engaged.

This is a beautiful story of a family and a struggle that is more common than many would like to admit. It’s a powerfully crafted story that’s worth seeking out in release, especially when paired with Romvari’s short films.

Blue Heron is now playing in limited release.

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.