Drama
United States of America
Tahara is a coming-of-age drama film directed by Olivia Peace and written by Jess Zeidman. It explores the nuances of teenage girlhood within the Jewish community, focusing on the intertwining relationships of three close friends: Carrie (Madeline Grey DeFreece), Hannah (Rachel Sennott), and Samantha (Brittany S. Hall).
The film opens with the heart-wrenching suicide of Samantha, which shakes the high school community and particularly affects Carrie and Hannah. The two girls attend Samantha's funeral and the accompanying Teen Talk-back session, where they participate in a group exercise which involves blindfolding and kissing a partner for a few seconds. Carrie is paired with Ava (Zoe Feigelson), a popular girl from school who is also struggling to come to terms with Samantha's death.
This brief encounter sparks something inside Carrie, leading to a series of events that challenge her close friendship with Hannah and make her question her faith. Meanwhile, Hannah is grappling with her own insecurities around her relationship with Carrie, her place in the social hierarchy, and her faith.
Throughout the film, Tahara explores themes of sexuality, mental health, grief, and the complexity of female friendships. It does so with sensitivity and depth, portraying its characters as flawed, complex individuals rather than stereotypes. The film's standout performances come from DeFreece and Sennott, who display a nuanced understanding of their characters' conflicting emotions.
