​Logline: Ruby and David have been on-and-off for 8 years. Six months after Ruby last ran out on him, she has returned. But Ruby has more in store than just a reunion.

Starring: Stephen Carlile and Amanda Jane Stern
Directed by: Lauren Greenhall
Screenplay by: Amanda Jane Stern
Story by: Amanda Jane Stern & Julian Seltzer
Produced by: Julian Seltzer, Amanda Jane Stern, Lauren Greenhall, and Stephen Carlile
Distributed by Buffalo 8
​This psychosexual thriller asks the question: what happens when the things that make your relationship passionate and exciting are the same things that make it toxic?

Ruby and David have been together on-and-off for 8 years, since she was 19 and he 34. Six months after Ruby last ran out on him, she has returned. Once the initial bliss of the reunion wears off, old toxic patterns re-emerge. Is David too demanding and controlling or is Ruby just too sensitive? Is Ruby as delicate and demure as she appears to be…or is there something more sinister behind the surface? Why did Ruby really come back?

Perfectly Good Moment is Lauren Greenhall's narrative directorial debut. It features Broadway star Stephen Carlile in his cinematic debut and Amanda Jane Stern (1 Angry Black Man, Lifetime's Amish Witches). It marks Stern's first feature screenwriting credit, and boasts an original score by Mdou Moctar's Mikey Coltun.

PRINT REVIEWS

​Frights and Feelings: Perfectly Good Moment (2024)

While it is not horror proper, it is horrifying to watch a grown woman in her late 20s be berated by a man 15 years her senior for spilling wine.
The environment that Greenhall and Stern effortlessly create makes the audience hold their breath and feel like they are walking on eggshells around David themselves. There were times when I actually jumped due to the innate realism of David’s domineering character and personality. Every older man who had berated me in the past, who sought to manipulate me, came to mind during my viewing, and it most certainly struck a nerve.

​It’s a prime example of how film can trigger those memories and experiences in a safe environment and give the viewer subsequent catharsis.

​Our favorite horror movies of 2024 🏆, 'Perfectly Good Moment' delivers Good for Her ending 💪, & more!

I never expected Lauren Greenhall's Perfectly Good Moment to knock me on my back like it did. Streaming on Tubi, the indie feature tackles domestic violence with brutal honesty. It's a raw, infuriating experience as you witness Ruby's (Amanda Jane Stern) agonizing relationship with David (Stephen Carlile). David spends 95 percent of the story apologizing for his bad behavior, only to snap again in the very next moment. He lashes out at Ruby almost every time she speaks, makes a joke, or tries to leave. But Ruby has a diabolical plan to get sweet revenge on her abuser. As the film builds, it becomes clear that Ruby has been in control the entire time. It's a real Good For Her film that'll stay with you long after the credits have filled.

​Perfectly Good Moment (USA, 2024)

As the film progresses, we get to see why the couple has been on and off for so long. It all boils down to one simple factor, and that’s obsession. David may seem like the charming knight in shining armor, but he has some very dangerous flaws. He has an obsessive nature that he can’t live without Ruby and tends to snap at even one simple question, always telling her how, as the title indicates, ruins a “perfectly good moment”. At least that’s according to him.
However, the end of the second act brings out a turn that at first reading the plot, seems predictable. However, what Stern did with the screenplay was ingenious as she resorts to using a method I never expected. And that’s what makes this better than most of these typical thrillers that have that “revenge” factor. Stern and director Lauren Greenhall bring something fresh and exciting to the mix. You’ll want to be rooting for Ruby the whole film out. 
Perfectly Good Moment may sound like a typical Lifetime thriller of sorts, but it delves into something more ingenuous and fresh to the love-revenge angle with an amazing performance and script by Amanda Jane Stern. Definitely worth checking out!

​‘PERFECTLY GOOD MOMENT’ IS MADE UP OF SEVERAL EXCEPTIONAL MOMENTS

When this clicks into place for the viewer, it allows us the joy of anticipation. Ruby’s here to get over on David and to revisit eight years of suffering on him. Her stilted responses become the careful movement of a hunter. This isn’t a gauzy, dreamy, erotic drama. This is a “good for her” revenge picture, which thrills the audience with the resourcefulness of the lead, like TILL DEATH or FRESH.
I’ve read some comparisons of this film to Black Mirror, and I think those stop short of exploring what Greenhall and Stern are getting at here. When the trap closes on David in the third act, yes, modern cyberpunk connected technology is used on him. What makes David so horrifying and makes revenge on him so satisfying for the audience is his eagerness to strip Ruby of agency and authority. For him, she’s an empty avatar to be bent to his will. When she talks about something he isn’t interested in or didn’t directly prompt, his response feels like a video game player mashing ‘skip’ on dialogue they don’t care about. David feels like the cartoonish end state evolution of a culture that lauds and reinforces patriarchal controls and technological advancement that encourages dehumanization altogether. This isn’t reminiscent of Black Mirror because tech is the trap used on David. This is reminiscent of Black Mirror because its character study shows us how we’ve already used technology to bring out the worst in us and close ourselves off to empathy. The world is littered with Davids.

Film review: Perfectly Good Moment

Perfectly Good Moment is a fantastic directorial debut from Lauren Greenhall. It has an admirable confidence and exudes a level of inventiveness and emotional residence that truly is a stand out.
Throughout the film a tense knot builds in your stomach yet the intriguing story dangles its string before you. At any moment, a simple mistake could turn this on its head as anger and obsession balance precariously. 
Their toxic relationship is explored in numerous fashions, delivered at different times, all in David’s apartment. Their sexual chemistry is electric but the power dynamics at play ring even stronger, as David’s overbearing presence smothers Ruby, hoping that this time, he will keep her here for good.
Stephen Carlile is remarkable. He hones in on this character, through all of his quirks and cruelties, with conviction. Amanda Jane Stern has a natural charm that she oscillates with an enigmatic allure. You don’t always know what Ruby is thinking, but you want to.

Dead Northern 2023 Review – Perfectly Good Moment

Devotion, intensity, desire, all the small details that make a relationship burst with passion also have the potential to turn poisonous, embedding romance with toxicity. Victim to this cruel spate of love is Ruby (Amanda Jane Stern), who has been with her on-and-off partner David (Stephen Carlilse) for eight years. After a six-month break, Ruby returns to David, hoping for another chance of reconciliation. However, this time round the pair might not make it for another reunion.
Perfectly Good Moment captures the cinematic brilliance of tense, psychosexual thrillers, as director Lauren Greenhall weaponises the small cast to create an intimate and uncomfortably close environment where the deep seeded  trauma of the narrative thrives; particularly at the hands of Ruby. David’s bond with Ruby is rife with manipulation: demanding her on what to do, how to act, how to live. Yet, rather than Greenhall, simply ‘showing’ the pattern of abuse in the archetypal way, she develops Ruby’s character with a spark of agency. Whilst the gritty details are best left to the viewer’s surprise, what can be noted is that Perfectly Good Moment bites back, unveiling ‘hidden’ abuse and showing that Ruby (representing all women) are not weak, feeble beings willing to put up with the David’s of the world.

FILM PREVIEW: PERFECTLY GOOD MOMENT

Amanda Jane Stern and Stephen Carlile not only give stellar performances , but create varying tension between them as we move through their story. It’s so palpable it feels as though the relationship itself is a character in and of itself that holds them in thrall. His abuse escalates from the emotional and mental abuse of dismissing her and her job to something far more dangerous.
Every moment of Perfectly Good Moment shows the passion and dedication to the story and a reverence for the feelings and experiences that inspired it. I admire its bravery and emotional intelligence, and the fearless performances of Stern and Carlile make this film a must-watch for those who wish the standard May-December romance story was retold from the feminine perspective. Carlile gives an amazing performance as the insecure control-seeking David, who is ultimately seeking of a life made of only perfectly good moments. Stern shines as Ruby – not only is she able to embody the naive, craving young woman who meets David – but also the abuse-tempered Ruby who returns to see David again. .

​PERFECTLY GOOD MOMENT: Haunting Psychological Thriller

Amanda Jane Stern‘s writing captures the nuance of life and relationships. So often, abusive relationships in films focus only on the physical, while emotional abuse is just as haunting and terrifying.”
“Amanda Jane Stern‘s performance as Ruby perfectly represents the unease women feel trapped in abusive relationships. Each subtle flinch and movement to turn her eyes away from David–afraid she will light up even more anger within him–is powerful and relatable.”
“Stephen Carlile‘s performance captures the character’s creepy qualities from David and Ruby’s first introduction, and this unease the audience feels toward David never subsides, even in moments before Ruby realizes she needs to escape.”
“The structure of Perfectly Good Moment adds to the film’s allure and makes the twist that much more impactful and engaging. Watching Ruby work her way out from under an abusive relationship that she felt she could never be free from is empowering and Perfectly Good Moment is a great example of revenge cinema. The twist works well and is foreshadowed through clever dialogue and visual moments of unexplained horror, until it all comes together in the end.

Perfectly Good Moment Review: A Perfectly Good Movie

This review might be best read after seeing the movie, as it will cover major plot twists.
Perfectly Good Moment is a psychological thriller that stars Stephen Carlile and Amanda Jane Stern (who also wrote the screenplay) as Ruby and David, the couple at the center of the film's story. The prologue, the only point in the movie besides the very end that features more than just the two actors, depicts how they met at Business Students Alumni Mixer. The rest of the movie is then spent examining their relationship, diving deeper and deeper into its toxicity and danger.
A film abruptly shifting genre isn't necessarily a bad thing, and Perfectly Good Moment handles it well. It's also a very talky movie, the kind that could be easily turned into a stage play, which might turn some people off for a very different reason. However, the performances from Carlile and Stern are captivating. The film's direction by Lauren Greenhall, making her narrative feature debut, was also very well-done.

Perfectly Good Moment Film Threat Review

Perfectly Good Moment is a very well-crafted thriller that is tightly constructed in its editing and beautifully shot. The picture predominantly takes place in David’s apartment. Despite the single location, there is a lot of use of creative camera movement that makes it appealing to the eyes. The love scenes are also executed tastefully in how they are shot. Additionally, the duo acting team of Stern and Carlile are fantastic in their portrayals. Both characters are people with dual personalities and are played with great subtlety. As screenwriters, Stern and Seltzer have written a raw and honest thriller about relationships that is refreshing. Furthermore, director Lauren Greenhall does an excellent job blocking her actors and camera to create a dynamic experience.

​Lauren Greenhall's Stunning Romantic, Revenge Drama, PERFECTLY GOOD MOMENT, To Celebrate Its UK Premiere at Unrestricted View Film Festival

PERFECTLY GOOD MOMENT is not just a gripping thriller, but also a beautifully cinematic experience. The film creates a distinct atmosphere that draws the viewer in and holds them captive throughout the story. The use of color palettes in each act, combined with the skillful direction and cinematography, brings the characters and their struggles to life on the screen.
Amanda Jane Stern and Stephen Carlile, effortlessly convey the complexities of their characters, making them feel real and relatable. The chemistry between them is palpable, and the emotional depth they bring to their roles is gorgeous to watch.

Better than perfect, Amanda Jane Stern breaks out in starring role, screenplay for “Perfectly Good Moment”

With the gripping thriller “Perfectly Good Moment” hitting the San Francisco Independent Film Festival this month, the independent film world has an opportunity to appreciate its star Amanda Jane Stern – a talent who has been acting in films for two decades since she was a child but who has finally found her first starring role in a feature she wrote and produced.
Which is baffling for a 29-year-old actress who resembles a mix of Julianne Moore and Ann-Margret with the determined confidence of Reese Witherspoon and the occasional, mischievous high-brow air of Christina Ricci.

PRESS + INTERVIEWS

Feature: The Impact of Intimacy Coordination On “Perfectly Good Moment”

What happens when a 19-year-old falls for a 34-year-old? And what happens years later, when she walks back into his life—maybe for closure, maybe for chaos? That’s the central question behind Perfectly Good Moment, a psychosexual thriller written by and starring Amanda Jane Stern and directed by Lauren Greenhall. It’s smart, sexy, intense—and as the film’s intimacy coordinator, I got to help bring that heat to the screen using trauma-informed practices.

Females in Entertainment: Filmmaker/Actress Amanda Jane Stern Talks about Her New Movie "Perfectly Good Moment" And How it Reflects Relationships in Today's Society

 Perfectly Good Moment is about a couple, David and Ruby, who have been in an on-and-off again relationship for the last 8 years. When they first met, Ruby was 19 and David was 34. This time, Ruby has returned with more than a reunion in mind.

​THE 2024-2025 BIZARRO OSCARS! BY THE DAILY GRINDHOUSE STAFF & FRIENDS!

BEST MOVIE MOST PEOPLE PROBABLY DIDN’T SEE:
Perfectly Good Moment

NIGHTTIDE MAGAZINE PRESENTS FEARLESS FRAME: CELEBRATING WOMXN HORROR FILMMAKERS – AMANDA JANE STERN

Perfectly Good Moment is a gripping psychosexual thriller that dissects the complexities of an age-gap relationship through the lens of power, manipulation, and agency. Centered on Ruby and David’s tumultuous eight-year relationship, the film explores the blurred lines between passion and toxicity, challenging traditional narratives that glamorize such dynamics. 

Westfield Grads Play Key Roles in Production of New Thriller ‘Perfectly Good Moment’

Julian Seltzer (’10) and Emily Bailey (’12) met at Westfield High School while working on Blue Devil News. 

Westfield HS Alumni Release New Thriller Film 'Perfectly Good Moment'

Two Westfield High School alumni and filmmakers have teamed up to create a new thriller ‘Perfectly Good Moment,"‘which is now streaming on Tubi and Amazon.

Spotlight on 2023: Unveiling Five Standout Indie Films - 'RUB', 'FEED ME', 'TO NOWHERE', 'PERFECTLY GOOD MOMENT', and 'MANFISH'

PERFECTLY GOOD MOMENT" is a compelling, sexually charged drama set in a single location. This beautifully acted film combines intimacy with a tense narrative. 

NY Premiere for "Perfectly Good Moment" - Film Made By Westfield HS Alumni

On Saturday, October 14th, Westfield High School alumni Julian Seltzer ('10) and Emily Bailey ('12) will walk the red carpet with their fellow cast and crew at the Chelsea Film Festival for the NYC Premiere of the award-winning feature film Perfectly Good Moment. 

Feature Film PERFECTLY GOOD MOMENT Starring Stephen Carlile To Make NYC Premiere At Chelsea Film Festival

Shot on location in NYC and made entirely by New Yorkers, the award-winning revenge thriller Perfectly Good Moment will play its NYC premiere at the Chelsea Film Festival on Saturday, October 14th at 6:15pm.

Feature Film Perfectly Good Moment to make NYC Premiere at Chelsea Film Festival

Perfectly Good Moment marks the feature directorial debut for New York-based Lauren Greenhall, whose work celebrates unconventional women. 

Perfectly Good Moment hits Fort Myers Film Festival

The cat-and-mouse plot delivers some suspenseful moments. ‘I do like making movies that are unsettling,’ Stern said.​

PIFF16 – 5 Questions for Adi Jahic – THINGS WE LIKE & Amanda Jane Stern PERFECTLY GOOD MOMENT

Amanda Jane: I was thinking a lot about how frequently we see age-gap relationships onscreen but never interrogate whether there is a power imbalance. Take Last Tango in Paris or Manhattan for instance, in both movies the younger woman is still a teenager paired up against a very adult man. ​

Fort Myers Film Festival planning a week of indie international and local film screenings, parties

ADULT FUN: Stay up late Thursday, May 18 for the 9 p.m. screening “Perfectly Good Moment,” by Lauren Greenhall. This psychosexual thriller asks the question: what happens when the things that make your relationship passionate and exciting are the same things that make it toxic? This one is for adults only.

JDIFF announces award winners for 2023

Best Use of Music: Perfectly Good Moment

Psychosexual revenge drama ‘Perfectly Good Moment’ to play Fort Myers Film Festival

Perfectly Good Moment marks Ms. Greenhall’s narrative feature directorial debut. ‘I hope that audiences come for the exciting revenge fantasy but leave with a new way to think about the under-discussed forms of manipulation in relationships.

Film fest preview: 'Perfectly Good Moment'

Lauren Greenhall’s directorial debut is a portrait of two characters, filmed almost entirely in one location.

The Psychosexual Thriller You Don’t Want to Miss at the Unrestricted View Film Festival

This psychosexual thriller asks the question: what happens when the things that make your relationship passionate and exciting are the same things that make it toxic?

How to Make Sex Scenes Look Good (Without Anyone Feeling Weird)

Our intimacy coordinator, Acacia DëQueer, had worked on award-winning indies and productions ranging from low budget to premium. I came to think of them as a storyteller who was part choreographer, part HR department. 

Erotic thriller Perfectly Good Moment hits the festival circuit

Brand new erotic thriller Perfectly Good Moment has started its film festival run, with a world premiere at the Sarasota Film Festival in March.

Lauren Greenhall’s Erotic Thriller PERFECTLY GOOD MOMENT Premieres at Sarasota Film Festival | Trailer

Directed by Lauren Greenhall, the erotic thriller Perfectly Good Moment will have its world premiere at the 25th Sarasota Film Festival on March 29, 2023.

​Want to Catch Up on This Year’s Sundance Titles? The Sarasota Film Festival Has You Covered

This erotic, psychological revenge fantasy asks the question what happens when the things that make your relationship passionate and exciting are the same things that make it toxic

Stephen Carlile Stars in PERFECTLY GOOD MOMENT, Premiering at Sarasota Film Festival

The film stars Broadway's Stephen Carlile (The Lion King) in his cinematic debut and Amanda Jane Stern (1 Angry Black Man, Lifetime's Amish Witches).

​It’s the 25th Anniversary of The Sarasota Film Festival- Check out the Complete Program

In the features lineup, the festival will host the World Premiere of PERFECTLY GOOD MOMENT

SF’S 25TH INDIEFEST KICKS OFF WITH WEIRD AND WONDERFUL FILMS

In Lauren Greenhall’s erotic psychological thriller “Perfectly Good Moment,” Ruby and David’s eight year on-and-off relationship appears to be on again when she returns into his life. 

​Interview With Actor, Writer And Producer Amanda Jane Stern For PERFECTLY GOOD MOMENT

1st Trailer Drops for Feminist Erotic Thriller “Perfectly Good Moment” 

IndieFest’s 25th anniversary roars in with local lore, fabulous freaks, and high school hijinks
If you’re wondering what relationships look like in the 21st century — or for that matter, the 22nd — ask Amanda Jane Stern. She is the star of Perfectly Good Moment as well as the film’s writer and producer
Now in this post-#MeToo era when women look back at their past, they can say ‘this is a gray area, and it’s okay.’ We need to process things in more than just black and white.
Needless to say, there’s a lot more bold individualism of an Amerindie-cinema stripe in Indiefest… and erotic thriller Perfectly Good Moment.

Stephen Carlile Makes American Feature Film Debut in PERFECTLY GOOD MOMENT via Broadway World

1st Trailer Drops for Twisty Erotic Drama "Perfectly Good Moment"

​LET’S GET INTIMATE PROVOKR'S Amanda Jane Stern Films Sex Scenes
In Perfectly Good Moment, Carlile plays the film's lead, a suave financial advisor, with a dark streak.
Perfectly Good Moment marks the narrative feature debut for director Lauren Greenhall, a 2021 resident at the Jewish Film Institute for her documentary Zelda, a film also sponsored by the New York Foundation of the Arts.
​Part of being an actor means knowing that you may be asked to film an intimate scene at some point. Those scenes can range anywhere from just kissing to a nude sex scene. The question is how to make those scenes look good on camera and film them comfortably and safely for the actors and crews.

PODCAST REVIEWS + INTERVIEWS

FESTIVALS + AWARDS

SAN FRANCISCO INDIE FILM FEST
​Sneak Preview
February, 2023
San Francisco, CA

*SARASOTA FILM FESTIVAL
World Premiere Independent Vision Competition
March, 2023
Sarasota, FL

*JULIEN DUBUQUE INT’L FILM FEST
Midwest Premiere
Winner:
​Best Use of Music
April, 2023
Dubuque, IA

*UNRESTRICTED VIEW FILM FESTIVAL
​ UK Premiere
Special Mention Best Foreign Feature, Nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress
April, 2023
London, UK

PHILADELPHIA INDIE FILM FEST
Northeast Premiere
Official Selection
May, 2023
Philadelphia, PA

FORT MYERS FILM FESTIVAL
Fort Myers Premiere
Official Selection
May, 2023
Fort Myers, FL

NEVADA WOMEN’S FILM FESTIVAL 
Western US Premiere
Official Selection
June, 2023
Las Vegas, NV

*WEST SOUND FILM FESTIVAL
Pacific Northwest Premiere
Winner Best Drama Actor: Amanda Jane Stern
Winner Best Cinematography: Matt Braunsdorf
August , 2023
Bremerton, WA

LAKE TRAVIS FILM FESTIVAL
​Texas Premiere
Official Selection
September, 2023
Bee Cave, TX

​DEAD NORTHERN FILM FESTIVAL
York Premiere
Official Selection
October, 2023
York, UK

LOUISVILLE INT’L FESTIVAL OF FILM
Kentucky Premiere
Official Selection
October, 2023
Louisville, KY

APOCALYPSE LATER FILM FESTIVAL Southwest Premiere
Official Selection
October, 2023
Phoenix, AZ

CHELSEA FILM FESTIVAL
New York Premiere
Official Selection
October, 2023
New York, NY

HOBNOBBEN FILM FESTIVAL
Indiana Premiere
Official Selection
October, 2023
Fort Wayne, IN

MYSTIC FILM FESTIVAL
New England Premiere
Official Selection
October, 2023
Mystic, CT

CALELLA FILM FESTIVAL
Continental Europe Premiere
Official Selection
October, 2023
Calella, ES

CENTRE FILM FESTIVAL
Official Selection
October, 2023
Phillipsburg, PA

LAKE COUNTY FILM FESTIVAL
Illinois Premiere
Official Selection
November, 2023
Grayslake, IL

BOWERY FILM FESTIVAL
Official Selection
November, 2023
New York, NY

​SHEFFIELD GLOBAL CINEMA FESTIVAL
Official Selection
November, 2023
Sheffield, UK
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