nothing, except everything.

I cant believe how relatable such a short film can be, I've watched this over 5 times fully already as its so thought provoking.

It really places a perspective on the watchers mind and makes them dive into their own train of thought within the last 2 minutes.

The quotes are a perfect way to break up each chapter of the film and force the viewer to find a relation between the quotes and the actions.

The subtle references through the film really portray the film as a personal reflection not just of the creator but of anyone who finds it relatable.

Lastly, If I was forced to use one word to describe it I would, but the only word I could possibly use is "art" and even then that's an understatement.

Nothing, Except Everything is a breathtaking cinematic masterpiece that defies conventional storytelling and invites the viewer into a realm of pure artistry and profound introspection. The film, a stunning fusion of visual poetry and narrative abstraction, takes you on a transformative journey that feels at once deeply personal and universally resonant.

From the first frame to the last, the film captivates with its minimalist approach, drawing on silence and subtlety to evoke a wide range of emotions. The cinematography is nothing short of exquisite, each shot carefully composed to maximize impact with an almost meditative attention to detail. Every visual element-light, shadow, color, texture-feels deliberate and imbued with meaning, creating an atmosphere of reflection and wonder.

I saw a tiktok about Wesley Wang selling this to Sony, and decided that I had to give it a chance. The first thing that struck me was the fact that David Mazouz, a lead actor in Gotham, and I realized that this high school short film was nothing comparable to the films I have the ability to make at my university. Whatever the budget was, it was stretched perfectly. But it's not indie.

The acting was great. Harper and Miles' characters play the part of lost high schoolers extremely well. The directing was fantastic, with great lighting and sound. The segmented computer bits are a bit of a crutch, and a cliche, but for a young director, it's something to work on.

The biggest issue I found with this short is its writing. A lot of the lines are stilted, and the problem I find with that is that it plays on existential realism, yet it doesn't feel fluid. Wang is a fantastic director, who definitely has a bring future, but he is not a writer.

Style over substance, this was carried by the industry professional cinematographers. It also just completely rips off everything everywhere, from the title to the themes to the editing and the sound design. Very "fake deep". I wouldn't usually care but they are turning this into a feature film, I think that's a horrible idea. There's a decent premise of being over analytical and 4th wall breaking but the concept is too vague and the acting is very meh. In the kickstarter the kid who made it claimed to have written the most genuine gen z characters ever, which is just unequivocally false. Not a fan.

Honestly, I don't get the super low reviews. I mean yeah, this film isn't groundbreaking or life-changing, yet it's still very touching at moments. People might've gone in expecting something huge just because it went viral or because the director is 18, but that's not really what this short film is trying to do. It's not some big dramatic story-it's more like a simple, quiet reflection. And honestly, that's what makes it feel kind of refreshing.

The main character is really relatable. He's just a normal guy going through everyday thoughts about life, time, and growing up. He's not dealing with some crazy crisis-just normal stuff that almost everyone has thought about at one point or another. That feeling of noticing how fast time passes, wondering if you're doing enough, or just being aware of how things are changing around you. The way it's shown feels natural, not too deep or forced.

The acting is great. David Mazouz brings a calm and believable vibe to the role. He doesn't overact or try too hard to be emotional. He just feels like a regular person, which fits the whole mood of the film. Lily Chee also adds a nice balance in her scenes. The way their characters talk feels relaxed and casual, which works really well for a story like this. It kind of reminded me of a late afternoon walk where you just start thinking about life for a second without even meaning to.

The cinematography is stunning. Every shot looks carefully chosen, and the colors and lighting give the whole film this soft, thoughtful feeling. It doesn't look like a short film made by a teenager-it looks professional, polished, and really visually beautiful. The fact it's directed by an 18-year-old kid is crazy.

I liked it. Would watch again. Not because it has some big twist or unforgettable ending, but because it leaves a nice feeling. It's peaceful, honest, and it makes you reflect a little. Nothing too heavy, nothing too dramatic-just a short piece about life, time, and noticing the small things. I think some people expected it to blow their minds or be some kind of masterpiece, and maybe that's why they didn't enjoy it. But if you take it for what it is, it's actually a really solid short film.

And again-made by an 18-year-old. That alone deserves some respect.