Tallulah

Set in contemporary urban America, the film uses current city life, social services, and law-enforcement dynamics to frame Tallulah’s crisis and the evolving guardian relationships. The narrative unfolds over a span of days, moving quickly through nights in the van, hotel encounters, and hospital moments. The period feels close to today, reflecting modern concerns about family, independence, and support systems.

The story unfolds primarily in New York City, with pivotal scenes in the streets, a hotel, Margo’s apartment, and the subway. Central Park serves as a quiet counterpoint to the city’s bustle, highlighting moments of reflection and escape. The urban environment shapes the characters’ choices, balancing danger and tenderness as they navigate homelessness, family ties, and care.

👪 Family

The film probes what counts as family beyond blood kin, showing Tallulah, Margo, and Maddy forming an improvised unit under pressure. They negotiate care, limits, and belonging while confronting the fear of separation. The evolving bond reveals how chosen family can provide warmth and accountability in harsh circumstances.

🪪 Identity

Tallulah grapples with self-definition as she shields herself from attachments while craving connection. The relationships with Margo and Maddy push her to consider who she is when she is not simply surviving. The story explores whether caregiving can redefine a person and point toward a future beyond street life.

🏚️ Poverty

The film portrays homelessness and economic precarity, showing how survival, generosity, and vulnerability intersect in Tallulah’s world. It examines moral compromises and the costs of care within a system that often fails those on the edge. Through these pressures, the narrative highlights resilience and the human need for belonging.