Depression is a Beast is a captivating documentary that takes a unique narrative approach, brimming with creativity as Courtney Dixon skillfully extracts every aspect of Jenna Kanell’s profound thoughts. It’s a film that not only offers understanding and consideration but also leaves a lasting resonance.

The multi-talented Jenna Kanell, actor, writer, director and stunt woman, opens up about her mental health journey and how the heightened emotions within horror movies allowed her to find a positive connection and realise a lot about herself as she continues that journey.

Courtney Dixon could have easily made Depression is a Beast a standard talking head piece for us to learn from and, for some, to immediately relate to. Instead, she has made a short film that exudes creativity. Sure, we have moments of Kanell in that normal talking head position, but for the most part, we only hear what she is saying in that session as we see camcorder takes of her discussion.

Then Dixon takes the fantastic decision to make a mini horror film inside this deeply insightful mental health documentary. Sharp and striking cutaways are flashed before us; on multiple occasions, Kanell is in different clothing, allowing the static from a television to seep towards her. But that’s not all. We have comic book designs of her, and we have mini clips of Kanell’s performances in horror thus far in her career to help paint this picture of her and her love for the genre. It is all utterly fascinating to see, and it almost comes across as this odd but thoughtful Twilight Zone episode. 

You find yourself incredibly engaged in Depression is a Beast, and while you would almost imagine the visuals would distract or, worse, detract from the words you are listening to. Yet, it doesn’t; it, in fact, enhances and gives the words more meaning and depth. It is a fantastic concept with Dixon and Kanell smashing it out of the park with its effectiveness.

What makes it all work so well is Kanell. Dixon can only do so much visually, but thanks to Kanell’s unique perspective and frank dialogue about her journey thus far and what she has learned, Dixon can work with it. Kanell’s ability to convey the shadow that has been lurching over her since she was 12 is the film’s strength, and her words allow those on their journey to realise they are not alone. 

There is a great sense of empathy throughout Depression is a Beast that not many documentary shorts, or feature-length ones, can succeed in showing. As Kanell states near the film’s end, you don’t beat depression. You learn to live with it, that it can be on the sofa in the same room, but not on your lap. This powerful message, delivered with honesty and vulnerability by Kanell, stays with you.

★★★★

DEPRESSION IS A BEAST can be seen at the Tribeca Festival on Thursday 6th June at 8:15 pm at the AMC 19th St. East 6, Tuesday 11th June at 5:15 pm at the AMC 19th St. East 6 and Saturday 15th June at 12:15 pm at the AMC 19th St. East 6. 

https://tribecafilm.com/films/depression-is-a-beast-2024

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