The Strays

You see Cheryl, who initially appears to be a polished and polite woman, harboring a dark secret beneath her refined exterior. She had abandoned her children, Carl and Dione, and built a new life under the alias “Neve,” marrying a man named Ian and living comfortably in a posh neighborhood. Cheryl’s deep-seated racist views are evident in her hatred for Black people and her paranoia about their presence in her life, which stems from her shame about her past. Throughout the film, it becomes clear that Cheryl’s past is one she desperately tries to hide, even from her own family, who remain unaware of her true identity and history.

The story reaches its climax when Carl and Dione return unexpectedly and take control of the house, exposing Cheryl’s deception and revealing her past as their mother, whom she had abandoned. As they confront her, Cheryl tries to buy her way out with money, but her offer only insults and angers Carl and Dione, who see her as a selfish woman who has betrayed and rejected them entirely. Cheryl’s attempt to manipulate the situation with lies—claiming her abusive ex-husband and her need to escape her new life—is deeply suspect, especially considering her previous lies about her identity and history.

In the final moments, Carl and Dione decide they have nothing to gain from their mother and reject her attempts at reconciliation. Cheryl, overwhelmed and unable to face her truths or accept her past, chooses to flee once again—this time running away with the delivery man, leaving her family and her children behind. Her departure signifies her nature as an escapist, someone who refuses to confront her responsibilities or her moral failings. By running away, she may have momentarily spared her children from her toxicity, but she also abandons them once more, cementing her as a deeply flawed, self-serving character who is unable—or unwilling—to face the consequences of her actions. The film ends with her disappearance, leaving the family to grapple with the damage and fragility of their fractured lives. In the end, Cheryl’s flight underscores the tragic cycle of denial and escape, highlighting her profound inability to truly confront her past and take responsibility.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:59