«Older Self» by Tom Michaels

With Older Self, Tom Michaels makes his directorial debut, blending drama and sci-fi into an intimate and poignant journey through grief, loss, and the mystery of time. An actor as well as a director, Michaels delivers a performance that is both intense and authentic, avoiding easy sentimentality and immersing us in a reality where the ordinary fades into the supernatural.

Mourning the death of his wife, Ben is trapped in a spiral of grief so profound that he contemplates suicide. But just when all seems lost, the unthinkable happens: an extraordinary event transports him thirty years into the future through his own closet. On the other side, he comes face to face with his older self—a version of him marked by the scars of time but also the wisdom of survival. In this meeting between past and future, Ben faces his most difficult choice: surrender to despair or rediscover the value of life.

The visual aesthetic of Older Self evokes the solemnity of the sci-fi genre, with soft lighting and cinematography that envelops the protagonist in a profound sense of solitude. The setting plays a crucial role: the living room, the closet, the invisible boundary between reality and the unknown become powerful metaphors for the protagonist’s inner journey. Michaels crafts a suspended atmosphere, almost outside of time, allowing emotions to guide the audience through the labyrinth of memory and regret.

The film culminates in a visionary and immersive sequence, where the protagonist encounters an enigmatic presence—a silent guide who seems to offer him both comfort and redemption. When the vision fades, Ben awakens in his living room, but something has changed. This time, he is no longer alone. An unexpected visitor suggests that his journey is far from over, but rather at the start of something new.

With Older Self, Michaels proves to be a remarkable talent both in front of and behind the camera, skillfully weaving the fantastical with deep emotional exploration. This debut is not just a story of loss but a testament to resilience, a reminder that even in the depths of grief, the possibility of a second chance may be waiting.