Synopsis
Causeway is a 2022 psychological drama that explores deep human themes such as trauma and recovery. The film was Lila Neugebauer’s first feature and was released under her direction. Neugebauer’s direction is complemented by a detailed screenplay penned by Ottessa Moshfegh, Luke Goebel, and Elizabeth Sanders, which deals with themes of trauma, healing, and inter-personal relationships. It features Jennifer Lawrence who serves in the role of a recently recuperated woman. A Causeway is a film which can best be described as a meditation of sorts on an injured spirit trying to reclaim life.
Lynsey, played by Jennifer Lawrence, is a New Orleans native and a U.S. Army Corps engineer. After working in Afghanistan, she suffered from a traumatic brain injury due to an IED (improvised explosive device) explosion. This injury severely affected her cognitive abilities as well as her physical capabilities. Lynsey goes through a long rehabilitation regime and relearns how to speak, move, and be functionally normal in daily activities.
The first segment of the movie features her residing with Sharon, who is a warm and patient caretaker (as portrayed with understated warmth by Jayne Houdyshell) that facilitates the tough aspects of Lynsey’s recovery. But it is clear Lynsey wants to go back to duty and considers the idea of deployment as a way to lockdown her purpose and reclaim her identity. Lynsey does regain some mobility and mental clarity, leading her to New Orleans, her childhood home. Here, she resides with her emotionally sulky and chronically lazy mother, Gloria, who is played by Linda Emond.
After spending some time in the place she used to call home, it becomes apparent Lynsey is struggling with reintegration. In the first place, her mother has the role of a housemate rather than a mother figure. Simultaneously, Lynsey’s previous life is unrecognizable as she is disillusioned with the concept of fully fitting in. Furthermore, she is not only dealing with the physical consequences of her injury, but also deeply rooted emotional wounds that predate her military service. The film progressively uncovers that what seems like an unhealthy obsession with patriotism is in fact a desire to escape an equally painful reality devoid of the battlefield.
As a pool cleaner, a job that Lynsey (Jessica Chastain) chooses for its quietness and privacy, she encounters James (Brian Tyree Henry), an auto mechanic who repairs her truck. A friendship blossoms after James fixes her truck. It turns out that James, like Lynsey, is coping with his own form of trauma: he lost a leg – and more devastatingly, his identity – in a car crash along with someone dear to him.
This relationship becomes the focal point of the film. Their chemistry develops not because of romantic interest, but due to their mutual flocking towards vulnerability. Both characters are physically and emotionally scarred by their respective tragedies. They are not the type to blurt out the pain they have, but they can see it in the other person. The strength of their friendship is modest; two traumatized individuals soothed by discomforting silence and gentle gestures of compassion.
As the plot develops, Lynsey is offered the chance to go back to active duty. However, her internal conflict escalates — does she want to go back to a war-torn region and, if so, why is there no fighting in her mind? Is her self-destructive emotional chaos the mess she truly needs to confront? The climax of Causeway is not marked by an explosive confrontation or a shocking twist. Rather, it is a gentle realization: Lynsey starts acknowledging that healing is not exclusively a matter of mending injuries or returning to life as it was. It requires one to safely surrender their defenses, feel deeply, and remain in one place long enough to facilitate genuine relationships.
Cast & Crew
In the role of Lynsey is Jennifer Lawrence.
Without a doubt, it was Lawrence who offered one of the most restrained and nuanced performances of her career. Unlike the extravagant personalities that she has played in The Hunger Games and Silver Linings Playbook, Lynsey is an inward, introspective character. Lawrence’s performance captures the tension between vulnerability and emotional shutdown extraordinary. Lynsey’s marriage of quiet pain with stunning resilience is absolute.
Brian Tyree Henry as James
Henry receives an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his equally compelling performance.” His interpretation of James is multifaceted, blending groundedness with soulfulness and profound empathy. He performs his character’s rawness alongside softness in a manner that makesJames achingly real.
Linda Emond as Gloria
Portraying Lynsey’s mother, Emond depicts a woman who is emotionally unavailable and unwilling to deal with her shortcomings. The interplay between this mother and daughter openly exemplifies the emotional distance and family separation within the home.
Jayne Houdyshell as Shalon
Houdyshell may have the least amount of screen time, but as Lynsey’s temporary caretaker, she injects kindness and tenderness in every scene. The audience sees the kindness and care that Lynsey desperately seeks but is unable to obtain throughout her life.
Director: Lila Neugebauer
Theater enthusiasts know Neugebauer as a director with a keen eye for detail. It’s astonishing to see how she makes her first foray into film. She expresses great caution when dealing with the subject matter because of its sensitivity, sidestepping melodrama and letting the characters’ silence and stillness speak for itself.
Writers: As listed above.
The dialogue is sparse, purposeful, and emotionally sophisticated. These writers provide a screenplay that does not impose or reveal answers in a rush, rather it gives space for the audience to experience discomfort and appreciate the weight of silence, stillness, and mundane activities. Something profound emerges when tension fills the screen and the characters remain still.
Cinematography: Diego Garcia
The visual style of the film uses natural light, dominating close-ups, and the camera is often placed at chin level or close to Lawrence’s face. This closeness allows the audience to experience Lynsey’s poignant sense of separation, her cautious attempts towards forming bonds with other people, and the turmoil of her thoughts and feelings.
Music: Alex Somers
Somers’ score is soft, atmospheric, and deeply unsettling. His use of ambient textures and quiet piano blends seamlessly with the film’s contemplative tone.
IMBD Ratings & Critical reception
Causeway is marked with a score of 6.6/10 on IMDB and receives mixed reviews from both critics and wider audiences; appreciated mostly for character-driven plots. The film also garners praise for being grounded and not sensationalizing trauma, as well as the leads’ chemistry.
Critics appreciated the indie movie Jennifer Lawrence starred in, noting her emotionally truthful performance paired with stark restraint. Brian Tyree Henry was praised for his performance by many considering it the best supporting performance of the year. His Oscar nomination was not just a nod for Causeway, but a testament to the immense talent he is building in film and television with his excellent performances.
The film’s pace was heavily criticized by some viewers for being too slow and inadequate. But for many others, that stillness offered the film’s greatest attraction. Rather than trying to manipulate the audience’s emotions with melodrama, the film emotional payoff through the authenticity of the characters and their journey.
Every film has a purpose and Causeway isolates the extraordinary aspect of healing whether it be dramatic or simple. The loss that causes or accompanies healing steps is often difficult to detect. It captures the essence of allowing someone in when it feels tremendously difficult. It’s an astonishing essay on empathy, and a reminder that true power is found in vulnerability.
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