Crying on Command (2025) Review

Crying on Command takes the audience into one of the most vulnerable spaces an actor can ever face: the audition room. The film strips away glamour and pretence, replacing it with harsh white walls, a suffocating silence, and the raw pressure to deliver something deeply human on command.

Nancy Kimball is exceptional as Jordyn, a performer whose passion and drive collide head-on with insecurity and expectation. Her performance is both understated and heartbreaking, perfectly capturing that fine balance between confidence and fragility. Watching her unravel under the weight of one simple request — to cry — is both frustrating and deeply moving. It’s rare to see a short film that so effectively pulls back the curtain on what actors endure, not just professionally but emotionally.

The concept itself is sharp and intelligent. It forces you to consider just how much of a toll the industry can take on someone who simply wants to be seen and validated for their art. While the minimalist style highlights Jordyn’s inner turmoil, it also adds a certain coldness that may not connect with every viewer.

Personally, I admired the ambition and the raw honesty of the piece, but it wasn’t entirely my cup of tea. Its power lies in its ability to unsettle and linger, rather than entertain in a traditional sense. That said, there’s no denying that Crying on Command is brilliantly crafted and showcases not just the pressures of performance, but also the quiet desperation behind wanting to be “enough.”