Soul to Squeeze (2025) proves that it’s all in the eyes. Jacob learns that eyes really are windows to the soul. This feature length psychedelic drama proves that mining, or altering, the human soul is dangerous.
It is also unpredictable.
The Story
Jacob signs up for a “self help” course in psychiatry. An emotional wreck, full of hostility and aggression, the young man wants to avoid “talking” heads. His journey of self discovery, in a house and not on a couch, takes him into the realms of fantasy.
As well as pain.
The cast
Michael Thomas Santos is Jacob Stanford.
Danielle Meyer is Shirlene Morris.
In terms of acting Santos acts his little cotton socks off. He rings the changes of each scene. The actor manages to pull off this drama with solid skills that help move things along, despite the overall confusion.
Soul to Squeeze BTS
Weikart co-writes, with Andrew Rivas, and directs this one. DP Pierce Cook and Editor Sonny Newman work well together. There are some, for lack of a better word, glitz’s in the film, however.
These jarring moments can be down to the subject matter and the tone of the film itself.
Some possible issues
Jacob’s personal journey in Soul to Squeeze is a metaphorical fight with himself. The house, as psychoanalyst, reaches deep within his very soul. It pulls out all the stops to help this young man accomplish his goal.
Weikart’s film is indeed jarring and, at times, annoying. This is not too dissimilar to any appointment with an analyst. This vehicle moves the story along and the confusion it sometimes generates makes a certain amount of sense.
The imagery in the film, at times, is beautifully spot on. It is art displayed valiantly in a psychological study of a breakdown mid recovery.
I had issues with the sound. In an attempt to show us the trials and tribulations of Jacob in treatment, some dialogue was “lost.” *This is quite possibly my own issue; I have tinnitus. So sounds of the same decibel levels cancel each other out.*
However, there are moments when the conflicting conversations that Jacob was hearing in Soul to Squeeze, aped schizophrenic symptoms. It was eerie and disquieting. (No pun intended.)
missing the point
Soul to Squeeze with its esoteric realms of psychoanalysis, was a hard watch. There were times that it literally left me behind. I will admit to watching it three times before it “clicked.”
*Side note: The lead actor made me think of Mike Lookinland from The Brady Bunch. This also distracted me a far bit.*
The Verdict
Soul to Squeeze is a solid 3.5 stars. This film required study. The issues of the sound overlays kept me in the dark, perhaps this was a planned part of the presentation. In terms of confusion, it works.
The film is available on Amazon to rent. Check it out and see what you think.
The Trailer
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