Nerds That Geek Short Film Review: ‘Soul Mates’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Jim Sea and Kristine Isom as Sean and Abby in SOUL MATES.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the short film, ‘Soul Mates’.
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We expect to become quite reflective and curious in nature when reach extreme old age. Wherein we will wonder if we’ve done enough to live a fulfilling and satisfying life, one where we will be remembered fondly by those we leave behind. And where we will also ponder upon… what lies beyond this particular life. For at the right age, we will fully understand our time is short, and that it won’t be long before we take our final breaths and release ourselves into whatever waits in the void and well… we want to make sure our affairs are in order and that we’re ready for the end. So that our final moments are spent filled with love, and harmony, and zero worries about the undiscovered country that awaits us.

However, while there is a part of us that believes those final days will be inquisitive and peaceful, there’s a chance they will be the opposite. For that is a lot to pack in when our time is nearly up, and if we haven’t done enough in our eyes, we might scramble, and the end might scare us. Not to mention, we may simply have no clue what to reflect upon or what to cherish or how to reconcile our death. Because that’s a lot for a person to process, and well, that’s why stories are so vital to us. Since they can help us ponder upon endless possibilities, and help us sort out so much, and it just so happens that a new short feature film takes the time to explore what we should cherish in those final days and perhaps what awaits us when we do die.

A feat that Soul Mates accomplishes by introducing us to a couple… dealing with the realities of death. For Sean has discovered his days are numbered by his health, and that prompts him to see the world with his beloved Abby to enjoy every last minute before passing away, and it also prompts the two of them… to make an ethereal pact. In that, they both believe what awaits us in death, is a second chance if we didn’t get everything right the first time. So, they vow to find one another when they are reborn into this world. To get it right, to enjoy their love once again and well, when their time comes, they put their faith in the unknown and come to discover that the universe… might not be as cruel as we make it out to be.

Which is a beautiful way to explore in detail… how we shouldn’t worry as much about the path we walked and the legacy we left behind. Because what’s behind us, is behind us, and we don’t always have control over legacy. But we can in fact, cherish every single precious moment, and hold onto the collection of feelings that they provided us with and if those were good and wondrous, we did all right. Not to mention, the movie also digs deep into the possibility that we are on this Earth a long, long time. Through reincarnation and the power of lessons. So that we can eventually figure out how to do things right and live as close to the perfect life we all dream of. As to whether or not though, Sean and Abby rekindle their love… well… we won’t spoil that here.

Because that’s an ending you need to see to believe, one that brings this unique story together in a proper manner, and unique really is the best word to describe this feature. Because there’s really nothing to compare this story to, and that’s a wonderful thing. Because it is always nice to run into a tale that is this refreshing and this original, and going the short film format, helps it. Because it amplifies the emotions it wishes to get across, and the endearing performances present here. All of which makes for a delightful viewing experience. One that is hopeful and open minded and offers clarity regarding what we should be chasing and worrying about… in the moment.

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