Waterproof

In Washington, D.C., the story unfolds against a rainy, urban backdrop where Tyree works as a cab driver and a wounded deli owner crosses her path. The journey shifts to Waterproof, Louisiana, a Delta town with cotton fields and a close-knit community that feels frozen in time. The contrast between modern city life and a traditional hometown provides the stage for family secrets, healing, and the search for safety.

🕊️ Family forgiveness

The film centers on Tyree’s return for her family, exploring how trust can be rebuilt among a mother, her mother, and siblings. As truths emerge about a long-buried past, characters confront blame, regret, and the chance to repair broken bonds. The narrative suggests reconciliation begins with honesty, even when it’s painful.

💔 Past wounds

Tyree’s former romance with a young white boy haunts the present, shaping loyalties and tensions within the family. The revelations threaten to fracture relationships while forcing characters to reckon with choices made years earlier. Through memory and confession, the story examines how past hurts influence present loyalties.

🌧️ Protection and motherhood

Tyree’s primary impulse is to shield Thaniel and Eli Zeal, even at personal cost. She navigates police danger, family expectations, and her own fears to keep her son out of trouble. The film portrays motherhood as a resilient force that drives difficult decisions and the pursuit of safer paths.