Ancestral Beasts by Jennie Kermode

Some shadows are woven into the fabric of our lives, lingering long after the event has passed. This inherited darkness isn’t always something we choose; sometimes it’s a silent legacy carried forward by those who came before us, waiting for a moment to attach itself to the present.

But facing these lingering influences doesn’t require paralysis. As filmmaker Tim Riedel suggests in his work, like the contribution to Fantasia 2026, the response to that darkness ultimately rests with us.

For Elyse (Morgan Holmstrom), navigating this inherited history is a deeply personal journey. She finds solace in listening to the Stolen Matriarchs podcast, reflecting on the experiences of previous generations of her people and seeking understanding within that shared narrative.

Yet, control remains elusive. The weight of this past doesn’t disappear when she is in the moment. The struggle manifests in unexpected ways—a sharp tension that surfaces when facing daily pressures.

The stakes become intensely real when Elyse confronts a customer at work, an encounter that pushes her to a breaking point and nearly results in her dismissal. It is in these moments of high stress that the true strength of family emerges.

Her big sister, Nikki (Darla Contois), steps in not with sentimentality, but with sheer force of will. With impressive conviction, she delivers the necessary arguments, successfully persuading the boss to grant Elyse the much-needed stress leave.

This intervention highlights a powerful dynamic: the fierce support found within the family unit. It’s a reminder that while personal battles are immense, they are often fought alongside a network of people who understand and actively help redefine what is possible.

Ultimately, the story of Elyse and Nikki is about resilience—the ability to acknowledge the inherited darkness while finding the power to choose how one responds to it, together.