WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
How will it all end? A question asked quite often when it comes to the journey that is our lives, perhaps even more so when in the midst of, or having come through, those circumstances that will forever shape (RE-shape, actually) the very future we’re seeking the answer for. HOW we choose to reach this point in time is paramount, and the acceptance or rejection of where we wish to see ourselves arrive at, and hence the place we DO, will determine so much. Stone Scriven (Craig Selbrede) has been experiencing the weight of his past, the recent losses of connection with several people he’s treasured, and the utter uncertainty of what IS to come other than coming full circle to where he was at to begin with. But, with his ever-present conscious in full swing, will he FINALLY be able to see the light rather than all-encompassing darkness of mindset, and will it be a place of redemption or forever remain a place of emotional barrenness?
Next, my Mind:
As we’ve heard all too many times, things do eventually come to an end, hence why I began this review above with the query that accompanies this notion, and now carry it forward when it comes to offering my thoughts on this third and final season of the straightforward, shoestring-budgeted, but absolutely impactful web series from creator/writer/director/producer Craig Selbrede who partners up with fellow director/producer/cinematographer Ronan Guilfoyle, directors Gabby Jones, Vivien Manaloto, and Gerald K. Moore, writers Olivia Dimond, K.S. Garner, and Liam Gilbey, plus producers Thomas Augusto, Jennifer ‘JayMo’ Mullinix, Garrett Sandoval, and Jon Weaver to deliver the consummation of one central (and supporting ones, too, frankly) character’s stormy journey through depression, addictions, and considerations of suicide that formed the foundational explorations for everything we’ve seen and now witness in a thought-provoking finale that this critic hopes resonated, and will continue to echo, through the minds of all who’ve watched this series and will for those who have yet to take it all in.
For me, any ongoing production flaws and/or admittedly shaky execution that carried through the series seriously took a back burner to the aforementioned focus above, which for this concluding season sees Stone Scriven’s ultimate confrontation with his own demons and attempting to reconcile the past circumstances that started him on the path he was originally choosing to embrace. With each of the season’s seven chapters, the creative process and means by which this is all presented takes on a very cinematic approach, cleverly and functionally utilizing odes to various styles of storytelling and thematic turns to convey the season’s intent, and bring everything around full circle in a manner that is genuine, purposefully persuasive, and that guides you as the viewer TO truly contemplate the entirety of the series and its core subject matter while also filling in the pieces of our main character’s backstory that explains much of why he IS who he is and is battling the emotionally-charged hurricane of choices for his future and what it either will or won’t be.
To expand a little more on an earlier statement involving certain relative weaknesses in production quality that, just being truthful, did follow the series from start to finish (ie: certain moments of choppy dialogue delivery, sound editing issues, some scene transitions showing a little inconsistency in smoothness, etc), this critic again must likewise be transparent that it could be overlooked for the sake of just HOW important the series’ themes ARE and WHY they should NEVER be something we grow weary of hearing about or seeing tackled by filmmakers. With mental and emotional health even MORE paramount in our tumultuous current age, I honestly applaud all creatives who choose to tackle the topics as we see come to a head by Season 3, done so with unapologetic intensity and objective that SHOULD be heeded. These subjects are no laughing matter, and while the series and this season like the others DID employ humor to address their character’s plights, it was never with the notion to undermine the sobering realities being showcased for our intake, and THAT I even more so give kudos to Selbrede & Co. for.
I also loved the fact that the actual finale of the series here was inspired, even if in some manner expected, and it therefore gives us what we REALLY need in the scope of all the unsettled events portrayed–THERE IS HOPE and YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Amongst the cornerstone themes, the season here does offer an additional wealth of ongoing scrutinies involving how we are so hesitant to accept change, coping mechanisms, the processing of trauma, realizing we all often experience things differently, the aching of missing loved ones, manifestations of guilt/regrets or blatant self-deprecation, undue expectations, encouraging NOT to bury things but talk them out, how much we NEED each other, letting things go instead of holding onto pain, how we need to love OURSELVES, being vulnerable even when it’s hard to be, and discovering peace with our past so we can embrace the present AND what the future could and/or will hold, along with a myriad of others concepts, all get their time over the course of the seven episodes and so deftly weave into Stone’s total story with highly effective, stirring strength.
As he has very much accomplished through the course of the previous two seasons and now in this final one, Selbrede as the actor represents the very heartbeat of grass roots indie filmmaking, someone who demonstrates sheer will and determination to not only create something and have the boldness to put it out there for the world to judge, but then also step in FRONT of the camera and simply exude the “everyman” quality that the series deserves and is driven by, which he does with a genuineness of purpose as Stone, a young man embattled by notions of suicide while having found the means to fight his way through the ongoing specter of it looming over him while others who come in and out of his life aid him, sometimes for good, sometimes for ill. As Stone also contends with the most important voice in it all, his OWN conscious and logical thinking, Stone keeps pushing for making sense of all that’s transpired, again both in hopelessness AND slowly developing positivity that leads to his final choice determining where he does or does not go in moving forward.
Once more looking BEYOND the admitted shakiness at times of Selbrede’s grander performance, it’s the basic relatability and accessible nature of Stone’s character and plight that stands out, and knowing how personal this journey has been for him, I wholly support and give total props to Selbrede on his forays into acting AND overall steadfastness to make this final season (and hence, series) more than worth the watch for what he was intending with it from the beginning. This time around, primary (many returning along with some newcomers) supporting turns arrive from Thomas Augusto as Huntley, one of Stone’s now former co-workers whose reeling from an important loss himself and on a quest for solace, Chat Burst as Griff, who likewise has assuredly had his own share of personal strife to handle and finally see freedom from, K.S. Garner as Kelly, friend to Stone’s now college-attending sister Sara who becomes a voice of reason for him, Amann Ali (here seen under Amann Memon) as the younger Stone in key points about his past, Miles Sklar as Ted, who is also a VERY ket factor in deciphering Stone’s past and why he’s the way he is, and Ronan Guilfoyle, who through voice only plays a pivotal presence in Stone’s entire path. Watch to learn about this!
Additional supporting turns are present from Zaydia Gooding, Danay Hampton, Ilya Schroeder, Jessica Yin, Shaawan Francis Keahna, Ben Whiting, Seth Angermiller, Caleb Chevez, William Russell, Bryce Angermiller, and Kyra Radomsky (voice only) among a few others. So, in total, “Hurt: Season 3” more than efficiently, plus with sincere heart at its center, wraps up the web series and its compelling thematic intents with resounding success. One does earnestly hope that people are not only made aware of this effort, but take the time to view it and ponder the weighty but so significant messages being given, because currently, we really NEED this kind of support and awareness to the “nth” degree whenever the world around seems too daunting to face.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
