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In Good Hands

In Good Hands (Turkish: Sen Yaşamaya Bak) is a 2022 Turkish romantic drama directed by Ketche and written by Hakan Bonomo. Starring as Melisa, a single mother diagnosed with a , and as Ferit, a charming she encounters while arranging for the care of her six-year-old son Can, the film explores themes of love, loss, and second chances. With a runtime of 104 minutes, it blends elements of drama, comedy, and romance, and was released on March 21, 2022, streaming globally on on the same date. The story centers on Melisa's poignant journey as she navigates her deteriorating health and seeks a suitable for Can, leading to an unexpected connection with Ferit that challenges her plans. Produced by TAFF Pictures, the film features supporting performances by Mert Ege Ak as Can, Ezgi Şenler, and others, capturing emotional depth through its heartfelt narrative and strong lead chemistry. It received mixed to positive reception, earning a % approval from critics on based on nine reviews, who praised its emotional resonance and mature themes despite some predictability. Audience response on averaged 5.8 out of 10 from over 4,500 ratings, noting the film's tear-jerking moments and relatable family dynamics. The success of In Good Hands led to a sequel, In Good Hands 2 (Turkish: Sen Büyümeye Bak), released in 2024, which continues the story with returning cast members including Urgancıoğlu and , directed once again by Ketche. The original film's popularity on contributed to its status as a notable entry in contemporary Turkish cinema, highlighting issues of and parental legacy while appealing to international audiences through its universal emotional core.

Film content

Plot summary

In Good Hands follows Melisa, a devoted who works at a and receives a devastating terminal cancer diagnosis, giving her approximately five months to live. Determined to shield her family from the truth, Melisa channels her energy into ensuring a secure future for her six-year-old son, Can, a headstrong and fiercely independent child who often tests her patience with his spirited nature. As she navigates this personal crisis, Melisa encounters Fırat at a , a charming and successful businessman who owns a shop; their initial interactions are marked by everyday mishaps that unexpectedly draw them closer. Their relationship blossoms into a tender romance, complicated by Melisa's hidden illness and her unwavering focus on Can's well-being. Fırat, initially a carefree , gradually forms a deep bond with Can through shared activities like playful outings and moments of guidance, fostering a father-son-like dynamic that brings warmth to their evolving family unit. Meanwhile, Melisa confides sporadically in her supportive friend Fatoş, who offers emotional backing amid the mounting pressures. Key scenes highlight Melisa's routine visits, where the weight of her condition becomes palpable, and heartfelt family interactions that underscore her love for Can. The narrative centers on Melisa's profound internal struggle with her mortality and her son's future, leading to emotional confrontations that test the strength of her new connections. Pivotal moments of vulnerability between Melisa and Fırat reveal their growing trust and affection, building toward a resolution infused with hope and resilience as they confront life's uncertainties together.

Cast and characters

The film features as Melisa, a resilient in her thirties diagnosed with a , who juggles her job at a and her young son while desperately seeking a stable future for him after her impending death. Enver portrays Melisa's arc from emotional isolation and to gradually opening up through her evolving relationship with Fırat, marked by her humorous yet guarded personality. Kaan Urgancıoğlu plays Fırat, a successful and initially aloof businessman in his thirties who owns a shop and enters Melisa's life as an unlikely romantic interest. His character development involves transitioning from a self-centered dealing with personal reservations to embracing a paternal role and forming a unit with Melisa and Can. Mert Ege Ak portrays Can, Melisa's intelligent yet stubborn six-year-old son, who exhibits emotional guardedness and initial resistance to outsiders amid his mother's hidden illness. Can's arc highlights his loyalty and skepticism, evolving into gradual attachment to Fırat as a , culminating in the revelation of his true paternal background—a tied to Melisa's past with Fırat, disclosed through direct dialogue without earlier narrative hints. Ezgi Şenler appears as Fatoş, Melisa's loyal best friend and young coworker, who provides and steadfast emotional support while emphasizing themes of platonic friendship. Fatoş's protective nature toward Can underscores her role without romantic entanglements, including her offer to care for him as part of Melisa's plans. In supporting roles, Birce İrem İlaçan appears as Birce, a colleague in Melisa's workplace scenes that highlight her professional struggles. Additional minor characters, such as those played by Latif Koru, Gizem Özmen, and Vural Şahanoğlu, contribute to the interpersonal dynamics in community and family settings.

Production

Development

The screenplay for In Good Hands (original title Sen Yaşamaya Bak), a Turkish romantic drama, was penned by Hakan Bonomo as an original story drawing on themes of terminal illness and unexpected love. Director Ketche (born Ali Bilgin) was chosen for his established track record in emotional storytelling, evident in prior television projects like the romantic drama series Hayatımın Aşkı. Production began under TAFF Pictures in 2020, with casting efforts underway that year despite disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing for a character-driven narrative without reliance on special effects. Netflix secured international distribution rights early in development, enabling a streaming-first release aimed at global viewers. Scripting presented challenges in balancing sentimentality with realism, particularly in portraying cancer's impact. The project was publicly announced in late 2020 as a Netflix original, with key cast selections like Aslı Enver finalized during pre-production.

Filming

Principal photography for In Good Hands (Turkish: Sen Yaşamaya Bak) commenced in mid-2021 in Istanbul, Turkey, where the production captured urban and suburban settings to portray aspects of everyday Turkish life. Key filming locations included real medical facilities in Istanbul for hospital scenes to achieve authenticity, while family home interiors were constructed on soundstages. Outdoor sequences depicting bonding moments were shot in local parks and streets. The film's cinematography was handled by Martin Szecsanov, who emphasized natural lighting to heighten emotional intimacy throughout the 104-minute runtime. Director Ketche utilized long takes in dialogue-heavy scenes to build tension, and scenes involving child actor Mert Ege Ak, who played the lead child's role, were scheduled around his school hours. Production wrapped in late 2021, with minimal disruptions from COVID-19 protocols, in line with Turkey's film industry guidelines during the pandemic. Technical contributions included editing by Sait Ali Demir, who focused on pacing the emotional beats, and music composition by Iskender Paydas, incorporating subtle Turkish folk elements to underscore the narrative.

Release

Distribution

In Good Hands premiered worldwide as a Netflix original film on March 21, 2022, available exclusively on the streaming platform and bypassing traditional theatrical releases due to its direct-to-streaming distribution agreement. The film was produced by TAFF Pictures, which managed domestic production rights in Turkey, while Netflix handled global distribution. To ensure broad accessibility, the movie is subtitled in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, and Arabic, and features dubbing options in select regions. For instance, an English-language dub includes voice performances such as voicing the character . Audio descriptions are also provided for viewers with visual impairments in supported markets. Given its streaming-centric release strategy, In Good Hands did not receive wide tracking or theatrical reports. Its strong performance contributed to the development of a sequel. The follow-up, In Good Hands 2, was released exclusively on Netflix on May 23, 2024, further extending the franchise's reach on the platform.

Marketing and promotion

The marketing campaign for In Good Hands (original title: Sen Yaşamaya Bak) was orchestrated by Netflix to highlight the film's emotional depth and family-centric narrative, targeting drama enthusiasts in Turkey and international audiences. A teaser trailer was released in advance of the premiere, featuring poignant clips of Melisa (played by Aslı Enver) and her son Can (played by Mert Ege Ak), and Ferit (played by Kaan Urgancıoğlu) navigating themes of loss and resilience, designed to evoke empathy and draw in viewers seeking heartfelt stories. Promotional posters showcased the lead trio—Aslı Enver, Kaan Urgancıoğlu, and young Mert Ege Ak—in warm, intimate family poses against soft, earthy tones, emphasizing tenderness and hope; these were widely distributed via social media platforms and billboards across major Turkish cities like Istanbul and Ankara to build visual anticipation. Cast members actively participated in promotional efforts through interviews and appearances. Netflix's social media strategy amplified buzz with the #InGoodHands (Turkish: #SenYaşamayaBak) hashtag, which trended prominently in Turkey during the pre-release period. To generate global interest, Netflix utilized targeted ads and viewer data to maximize streaming visibility. Limited tie-in merchandise complemented the campaign, including soundtrack singles available on Spotify that highlighted composer İskender Paydaş's evocative score, blending orchestral elements with emotional melodies to extend the film's atmosphere beyond the screen.

Reception

Critical response

"In Good Hands" received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its emotional resonance and performances while critiquing its reliance on familiar tropes and pacing issues. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 74% approval rating based on nine reviews, with critics noting its hard-hitting emotions and mature themes despite lacking originality in the storyline. User-generated ratings were similarly middling, as reflected in an IMDb score of 5.8 out of 10 from over 4,500 votes. Decider described it as an effective "weepie" for its tear-jerking moments, though it highlighted contrived elements that veer into the maudlin. In Turkish media, reviews were mixed; T-VINE called the film "underwhelming," faulting its spoon-fed plot, archetypal characters, and hurried pace, but commended the strong mother-son chemistry. International outlets offered comparable assessments: Common Sense Media appreciated the family themes but criticized the slow start and uneven pacing. On Letterboxd, it averaged 2.7 out of 5 from more than 6,000 user logs. Critics frequently highlighted Aslı Enver's nuanced portrayal of grief as a standout, bringing depth to the protagonist's emotional amid the story's predictability. The rushed romance drew particular for undermining the film's more heartfelt elements.

Audience reception

In Good Hands achieved notable viewership success on Netflix following its March 2022 release, appearing in the global Top 10 list for non-English films. Social media engagement was robust in the first month, with fans frequently praising the standout performance of child actor Mert Ege Ak and the film's tearful ending. On audience polling platforms like IMDb, it earned a 5.8/10 average rating from more than 4,500 users, with many highlighting its emotional depth and relatability for single parents, though common critiques centered on excessive sentimentality. The movie's portrayal of terminal illness resonated culturally, prompting discussions in Turkish media outlets and contributing to heightened awareness campaigns on the topic. Viewer demand for continuation was evident through online petitions and fan campaigns, culminating in the 2024 sequel In Good Hands 2. It has since become an enduring entry in Netflix's Turkish drama library.

References

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