Inside “Sometimes I Think About Dying” A Study on Disconnection

The theme of loneliness and human connection is a well-worn territory in cinema, but Sometimes I Think About Dying approaches it with an unconventional, introspective lens. At first glance, the film seems like it barely scratches the surface of its subject matter, until it lingers with you. Often compared to the surreal aesthetic of Yorgos Lanthimos, the film shares his signature detachment, with a stilted and almost clinical perspective. Not much happens in a traditional sense. Yet, director Rachel Lambert ensures that every moment carries an intentional weight. These moments spark subtle but undeniable emotional reactions.

Fran isn’t your typical protagonist. She’s not outwardly depressed, nor does she fit into the usual archetypes of existential ennui. She simply exists on the periphery, disengaged yet present, floating through office life with an almost ghostly passivity. While others discuss lunch plans and make small talk, Fran imagines the many ways she could die. Not as a cry for help, but as a quiet curiosity. What would it feel like? What would lead up to it? And, most importantly, how would her body be found?

Work provides structure, but little connection. As a near-silent observer, Fran drifts through the monotonous rhythms of office culture. Conversations unfold around her, banal yet universally familiar. Through Rachel Lambert’s lens, this mundanity becomes an existential paradox: Fran is both invisible to those around her and yet, in her own mind, the central figure in an unspoken narrative…

Why Would You Even Like Movies?

Ironically, it is precisely Fran’s un-personality that makes her intriguing to others. Enter Robert (Dave Merheje), the new guy in the office. An innocuous email sparks a mutual interest. Their appreciation of cottage cheese draws them together and they go on a date. Sometimes, when we feel like we have nothing to offer, someone else can find us interesting and even fall in love with us. While Fran may have plenty to say in response to direct questions, she rarely opens up without being prompted.

In the first half of “Sometimes I Think About Dying” Fran struggles to comprehend why someone might enjoy movies. She never pretends to like something merely for the sake of it, which is refreshingly honest. It’s easy for us to be boring, and most of us are. Our relatability often stems from not understanding someone else’s hobbies, passions, or even their annoyance at people who don’t use an umbrella when it rains. The grey area between acquaintance and something more becomes less and less. Until, of course, showing someone who you are becomes a requirement.

Social Anxiety… Meet Loneliness

Fran’s (Daisy Ridley) most captivating qualities are her quirks. Glimpses of her dark mind and her love of cottage cheese are something she is comfortable putting out there. But what of the rest of her? Is it possible to build a wall around things that you feel can be accepted by others and personality traits you decide will never be? Sometimes I Think About Dying wants you to acknowledge there will always be someone who appreciates what makes you tick.

So, let Fran be an inspiration to embrace your unconventional side. In a world full of conformity, her refusal to conform and her unique perspective makes her intriguing and relatable. Next time you feel uninterested, remember that your idiosyncrasies might just be what captures someone else’s attention and opens the door to meaningful connections. What’s more, it might even show you what you’ve been missing all this time.

Sometimes I Think About Dying Movie Trailer

Watch the 2024 movie trailer before opening at select theaters in the USA on JANUARY 26, 2024. A dark comedy about life and love and a must-see for film lovers who like poignant stories.

“Stillness speaks volumes in this quiet, mesmerizing gem.”
— Mother of Movies 🎬✨