Isn’t it kind of weird to be alive? That’s the kind of question being asked in Jess Zeidman’s debut film, which uses a kaleidoscopic approach to capture human beings in different times, settings, situations (and situationships) in New York City as a way of looking at life, love, dating, and just existing in the modern age. Through a series of forty interconnected vignettes, Human Theories explores how people try, and often fail, at connecting with each other in the world we live in today.
First, it helps to know this film is a series of vignettes. If you’re looking for a narrative, you won’t find it here. Don’t get too attached to one character’s journey as it may be a blip in the total scheme of it all. Each segment is a moment in time in each character’s life – an honest discussion, a weird confession, a regretful one-night stand. Each of these moments are written and performed very well by a mixed cast of over 50 actors and non-actors. The scenes are incredibly humorous. Some are over the top in their ridiculousness while others feel poignant, lived-in, and maybe for some, a little too relatable.
We’ve all been there. Whether you don’t know what to order once you’re at the counter, or how to exit an uncomfortable conversation with someone you just met, we’ve all been there. Which will make each scene either give you a deep sense of cringeworthy nostalgia or uncontrollable laughter at how much it lands. The ultimate strength of this film is in its writing. Every character, whether they are given 2 minutes or 10 minutes of screen time, packs a punch. It is clear that the objective was to make sure every moment feels relatable in some way to somebody. In that, the writing, and therefore, the film succeeds.
However, with no central focus on one character and no linear narrative, it does make it difficult to get emotionally invested in anything that happens here. After a few segments, you begin to realize that none of these will tie into an overarching story that tells a cohesive story. While the film is unique for that, it also is a bit of a letdown. Particularly for scenes where characters do something especially interesting, and there’s no follow through on what it means or why it matters. So, while the film should be praised for its unique and eclectic approach, some viewers may be frustrated for wanting perhaps a deeper connection to the film’s protagonists.
What we see is a beautiful mix of life. A wondrous tapestry of moments that show the messiness and awkwardness of human interactions. Some profound, others tense. Viewers will ask themselves, “Who would I be in this situation? How would I respond? What would I do?” and that’s the beauty of this film. It may be some loosely interconnected pieces but, in the end, we’re all kind of pieced together by our experiences anyway. If someone took a mere snapshot of your life at any given moment. How much of it would be exciting? Thrilling? And how much would just be average, irrelevant, or awkward? Probably a lot.
Watching these moments play throughout the film will feel like holding a mirror up to one’s own life and dissecting each piece. Which moment made you feel exploited, lied to, terrified, romantic? And how did that make you who you are? That’s what this film does; for 70 minutes, you see yourself. You see your life. You see your mistakes, and think, yeah, that’s me. I’m a beautiful, awkward, mess, and I like what I see.
Human Theories held its World Premiere as a part of the Viewpoints section of the 2026 Tribeca Festival.
Director: Jess Zeidman
Screenwriter: Jess Zeidman
Rated: NR
Runtime: 71m
for 70 minutes, you see yourself. You see your life. You see your mistakes, and think, yeah, that’s me. I’m a beautiful, awkward, mess, and I like what I see.
Phoenix is a father of two, the co-host and editor of the Curtain to Curtain Podcast, co-founder of the International Film Society Critics Association. He’s also a member of the Pandora International Critics, Independent Critics of America, Online Film and Television Association, and Film Independent. With the goal of eventually becoming a filmmaker himself. He’s also obsessed with musical theater.
