Six Years Gone

One of the best indie films I've seen. The production value; acting, editing, script, camera - all spot on. It's not an easy watch, but one that will stick with you. A real gem with an ending that, in reality, is a new begnning to yet another long heartbreaking journey. A must see.

Six Years Gone doesn't feel like an indie film. The acting is superb especially by the talented lead Veronica Jean Trickett. As a father, I found the story to be devastating at times and painful to watch. The writing, performances, photography and direction all made me feel something which many much higher budgeted films don't achieve. All around this is a very well-made film worthy of high marks.

Six Years Gone movie review: IN A NUTSHELL:

Your child has disappeared, and the police investigation has gone cold ...what would you do?

Six years on from the chilling abduction of her beautiful daughter, Carrie Dawson's life has fallen into ruin. However, as the astonishing clues start to come together about her little girl's disappearance, Carrie is about to put everything on the line to end her nightmare.

Six Years Gone is a gritty and powerful look at tragedy, love, and desperation, that will touch a nerve with all parents.

The emotional indie film was both written and directed by Warren Dudley. He reached out to me to give me a press screener and an invitation to preview his gut-wrenching film. Thanks! His thriller was submitted to 18 international film festivals where it won much acclaim, including Best Film at the 2022 Paris International Film Awards!

About the movie, Warren Dudley stated, "I've spent the last ten years flitting between football-based comedy and the horror/thriller genres. It's been a privilege to work on these projects with some brilliant, talented people. However, it's been gnawing away at me that I have yet to make anything 'real', something gritty and heartfelt that packs an emotional punch. The idea for Six Years Gone has been floating around my head for a while. As the parent of a now twelve-year-old daughter, news reports about missing children have always left me with chills, and I felt those feelings could be mined for a script. About six months ago, I saw a Belgium film called The Unknown Girl, and it immediately made me think that in a similar way of shooting could bring my new idea to life. I loved the ultra-real performances and greyness of the film. I aim to get close to this with Six Years Gone."

THINGS I LIKED: Congratulations to Veronica Jean Trickett for starring in the movie and truly carrying the entire film. She also won Best Actress in the 2022 Sweden Film Awards.

The story is dark and illustrates a parent's worse nightmare: having your child kidnapped.

The film showcases how a parent never gives up hope when it comes to a missing child.

It's fascinating how a series of events could quickly cause a person to make terrible life choices.

I loved the many layers of emotions that the mother experiences: hope, despair, desperation, embarrassment, anger, frustration, and gratitude.

Only $18,000 was spent making this film! That's amazing!

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: It's very slow-moving.

We see several similar scenes. Some of them could have been cut and replaced with new ones that could provide new insights into the characters or story.

There are some bad, shallow-acting moments that felt very forced.

Some Americans might find it difficult to understand the thick British accent.

A potential boyfriend is shown to us in Act 1 with no resolution about him after that.

Just a head's up: this is not a fun movie to watch but one that will rip your heart out.

TIPS FOR PARENTS: This is not appropriate for children to watch.

Several scenes let us know that prostitution is happening. Thankfully, we don't have to see the details though.

Physical abuse is heard.

Profanity Hopefully, teens who watch this (if they do under parental supervision) will see how much their parents love them and worry about them.

We see an unmarried mother in the bedroom before and after several intimate experiences with men. I'm grateful we didn't have to watch them.

THEMES: Parenting Divorce Kidnapping Hope Drug use Lots of alcohol Despair Support from others Family

I have to start off by saying the deadly combo or acting, cinematography and story are top notch. The film can be brutal at times, but that keeps with its theme. Emotionally draining (in a great way) and a true dive into the madness a parent who has lost a child (or had one missing) must feel. All around well done!

I don't want to reveal any spoilers, but this one involves the loss of a child to the unknown. It's well done, with a strong infusion of anxiety and sympathy for the main character. The sense of dread that comes from the mother's plight is palpable, and this is made clear by good acting and directing. As a parent, "Six Years Gone" definitely got to me.