Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
Meeting by chance when they return to their tiny California hometown, two former high-school sweethearts reflect on their shared past.
Blue Jay is a quietly affecting two-hander that earns its reputation largely on the strength of its performances — Mark Duplass and Sarah Paulson deliver naturalistic, emotionally raw work that feels genuinely lived-in. The black-and-white cinematography is a deliberate and effective aesthetic choice, giving the film a timeless, intimate quality that suits its introspective tone. The plot is slender and somewhat familiar in its 'former lovers reunite' conceit, though it deepens meaningfully with a late revelation about abortion that reframes the entire relationship. Novelty is modest — the mumblecore-adjacent style is well-worn, and the premise is not singular — but the execution is careful and personal. The ending is emotionally resonant but restrained to the point of feeling slightly unresolved, which fits the film's ethos but may leave some viewers wanting more closure.