12 Steps to Recovery

It's one thing to hear about, or read about, the twelve steps to recovery... but it's a whole 'nother thing to walk alongside a damaged young man as he seeks to get out of addiction and back into a normal life.

This being writer/director Ryan Watson's first feature-length project, it is amazingly well made. Successfully delivering a 3-act film that takes viewers thru a 12-step program is no mean feat.

Every low budget film has to recognize the reality of their limitations-and make certain that the basics are well-covered. Storywise, the main task is establishing an understandable premise, making certain the characters are developed in support of the film's end-point. It's also helpful to introduce and properly play out any subplots, which "12 Steps" does very well.

The lighting is sold, the shots are in focus, the audio is clear, and the message comes thru very strongly. "12 Steps To Recovery" is definitely worth watching!

12 Steps to Recovery left a big impact on me. Josh's performance as Joshua is absolutely incredible. From the very start, when he's involved in a robbery gone wrong that leads to his brother Anthony's death, you can see the pain and regret in his eyes. Josh makes you feel every bit of Joshua's suffering and his desperate need to make things right. His portrayal is so real and raw that I couldn't take my eyes off the screen.

The film does a great job of showing Joshua's relationships with the people around him, especially his mom, Melissa. Their scenes together are some of the most touching parts of the movie. You can feel the love and the pain between them, and it's clear that they have amazing chemistry. As someone who's super close with my own mom, these moments really hit home.

Another part of the movie that I loved was the support group scenes. They show different characters like Jason and Deborah, who are also dealing with their own struggles. These scenes felt so genuine and heartfelt, and Josh's performance really shines here. You can see Joshua's vulnerability and his determination to change, which made me root for him even more. The relationship between Joshua and Kate is also really interesting. Their interactions are full of tension and emotion, reflecting the challenges of rebuilding trust. This film shows the importance of love, support, and the strength to keep going, no matter how tough things get. I definitely recommend it!

One of my friends posted online about this film and I wanted to give it a look. Josh is someone that a lot of people including myself can relate to. I enjoyed the emotion, the romance and SPICYNESS, the drama, the suspense. I don't think we learn enough about the struggle people and their families go through on a day-to-day basis when it comes to addiction. You could see in Josh's eyes throughout the movie that he was going through a lot and needed God. It would be awesome to have a 2nd movie to see what happens with Josh and Kate. I definitely recommend watching this film. I hope we see more Arizona films in 2024!

Beautiful film about a young man's journey from the depths of desperation and despair to redemption and acceptance. Lovingly crafted, great story, and some wonderful performances, particularly by the lead actors. It follows an addict who Is struggling to put his life together after a deadly tragedy. My favorite scenes are between the addict and his mother who both deserve awards for this film. The scenes at the AA meetings are honest and realistic. It's all tied together with beautiful music and photography. A real gem of a movie! It is an engaging story with an important message, not to be missed!!

This was such a heartfelt and touching film! I especially connected with the tender moments that were shared between Josh and his mom. Ryan Watson did an excellent job of not sugarcoating the harsh realities of addiction, yet still leaving viewers with a message of inspiration and renewal. This film has the potential to resonate with a wide audience, whether or not they share the same beliefs, as it ultimately celebrates the triumph of the human spirit and the possibility of redemption. "12 Steps to Recovery" effectively explores the inner turmoil and external challenges that individuals face on their path to recovery. The film doesn't preach; instead, it inspires viewers to reflect on the power of faith and community support in overcoming addiction. A must-see!