Looking For Her (2022) Movie Review

『From Fake Play to True Love: Two Women Growing Between Family and Truth』

🎥 Film Overview

• 🎬 Title: Looking For Her (2022)
• 🌍 Country: 🇺🇸 USA
• 🎞️ Genre: Queer Romantic Comedy / Family Drama
• 📢 Director, Writer, Producer & Lead: Alexandra Swarens

👩 Cast

• Alexandra Swarens – Olive
• Olivia Buckle – Taylor

🧩 Story Deep Dive (Spoilers Included)

❄️ A Relationship Born from a Lie

Taylor, feeling pressured by her parents’ expectations and society’s gaze, lies to her family that she’s still with her ex-girlfriend Jess during the Christmas gathering. To maintain the story, she places an online ad to hire a “fake girlfriend,” and aspiring actress Olive takes on the role.

What starts as a simple act of role-playing soon grows into something more. As they spend time together, Olive’s warmth and optimism begin to break down Taylor’s guarded heart, and the boundary between “pretend” and “real” slowly disappears.

💬 “I just didn’t want to admit that I had failed again.” – Taylor

Haunted by past heartbreak and her distant relationship with her family, Taylor struggles to be honest with herself. Olive, however, offers steady support and understanding. Through shared vulnerability, the two women begin to uncover each other’s fears and hidden scars.

🔥 Confession, Separation, and Rediscovery

As tensions rise during the family gathering, emotions spill over. Taylor insists on ending the charade, but her words mask a deeper truth — a fear of admitting her real feelings. Olive, hurt by the weight of being “just pretend,” leaves. Time passes, but the memories of their holiday together resurface, pushing Taylor to finally confront her true emotions. With courage, she seeks Olive out, confesses her love, and they return as genuine partners, standing together before her parents once more.

🦋 Emotional Resonance and Thematic Depth

🎬 A Director Woven Into Her Own Story

Alexandra Swarens infuses the film with her distinctive voice by serving as director, writer, producer, and lead actress. Her performance, combined with intimate direction, gives the narrative authenticity and warmth, making the journey from “pretend” to “real” love feel both organic and heartfelt.

❄️ Beyond Pretend: Finding True Connection

The “fake girlfriend” setup begins as a wall of defense but transforms into an opportunity for genuine intimacy. The film gracefully explores the blurred line between acting and reality, capturing the moments when true love unexpectedly blossoms within a staged performance.

🏠 Family, Identity, and Belonging

The family gathering becomes more than a backdrop — it’s a lens through which the film examines queer identity, societal pressure, and the complexity of family expectations. Through Taylor and Olive’s evolving bond, the story highlights the courage required to embrace authenticity in spaces that often demand conformity.

🎯 Personal Rating

• 💕 Love Scene Intensity: ♥
• ⭐ Overall Rating: ★★★★☆