Around the Bend

In the sun‑bleached stretches of the American West, a modest family home becomes the springboard for a pilgrimage that promises both closure and new beginnings. Jason Lair lives quietly with his son Zach and their gentle, Danish‑born caregiver Katrina, while his aging grandfather Henry clings to one final wish that will pull them far from familiar streets. The arrival of Turner, Jason’s long‑absent father, injects a restless energy into the household, resurfacing old wounds and quiet hopes alike.

The tone of the film is unmistakably wistful, marrying the expansive freedom of open highways with the intimate, often tense, moments that arise when generations collide. As the trio—father, son, and estranged grandfather—prepare for a road‑trip across desert vistas, they are forced to confront the fragile threads that bind them. Their interactions oscillate between wary silences and tentative laughter, underscoring a narrative that values conversation over confrontation and the simple act of sharing a meal over grand gestures.

Against a backdrop of rolling plains, vintage motels, and the ever‑present hum of a classic VW van, the story explores what it means to carry forward a legacy. The journey is less about the destination than the shifting landscape of relationships, where each mile offers a chance to glimpse forgotten memories and unspoken truths. In this landscape of dust and sky, the characters navigate the delicate balance between past regrets and the promise of redemption, inviting the audience to wonder what lies ahead when a family finally dares to travel together.

Last Updated: August 10, 2025 at 10:40