Written and directed by two-time Independent Spirit Award nominee Bryan Poyser, Leads is a heartfelt comedy that delves into the challenges of chasing artistic dreams in midlife. Can dreams still be pursued in your 40s while raising a child and holding down a steady but seemingly unremarkable job? That’s the dilemma facing Mags (Heather Kafka), a drama lecturer whose carefully contained world is upended when her enigmatic yet endearing younger brother Merritt (Justin Arnold) unexpectedly enrolls in her acting class. As they navigate their fractured relationship after years apart, both siblings — each lost in their own way — grapple with their creative ambitions, forcing them to reexamine family, their past decisions and the pursuit of fulfillment.

Poyser masterfully transforms the acting classroom — a seemingly ordinary space — into a dynamic stage for exploring both interpersonal conflict and genuine connection. As Mags' students become entangled in the push and pull between her and Merritt, their relationships with the siblings evolve in unexpected and often hilarious ways, culminating in an unruly climax that underscores the deep, inextricable link between art and life. Celebrating the collaborative spirit of creativity, the film is elevated by the outstanding performances of Kafka and Arnold alongside a stellar ensemble cast featuring Macon Blair and Sara Paxton. With a delicate balance of humor and poignancy, Leads radiates warmth, reminding us of the enduring joy and love that shape our lives.—Cara Cusumano

Bryan Poyser