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ReBroken

ReBroken is a supernatural directed by Kenny Yates in his feature directorial debut, written by Kipp Tribble from a story by Scott Hamm Duenas, and starring Scott Hamm Duenas as the protagonist Will alongside as a mysterious . The story centers on a grieving father who, while struggling with and attending court-ordered , receives vinyl recordings from an enigmatic figure that appear to convey messages from his recently deceased daughter, prompting him to investigate potential and influences in his life. Blending elements of , , and psychological tension, the film examines themes of loss, , and the blurred boundaries between reality and the over its 93-minute runtime. Produced independently, ReBroken premiered theatrically in the United States on March 7, 2023, with distribution handled through limited release channels. The screenplay draws from Duenas's original concept, emphasizing emotional authenticity in depicting the raw process of bereavement, while incorporating motifs to heighten . Key supporting cast includes actors portraying members of Will's counseling group, contributing to the film's exploration of communal support and hidden agendas. Yates, previously known for work in and short films, brought a focus on intimate character-driven storytelling to the project, which was shot to capture the isolation and desperation of its lead. Critically, ReBroken garnered mixed reception, with praise for its sincere handling of grief and strong performances, particularly from Hamm in conveying vulnerability, but some critiques noting reliance on familiar thriller tropes and occasional pacing issues. On IMDb, it holds a 4.3 out of 10 rating based on over 500 user reviews, reflecting divided audience opinions on its twist-heavy narrative. Rotten Tomatoes reports an 86% approval rating from a limited set of seven critics, highlighting its earnest reflection on loss wrapped in supernatural intrigue. The film has been noted for Bell's chilling presence, leveraging his iconic role from the Saw franchise to add gravitas to the mysterious elements.

Story and characters

Plot

In ReBroken, the story centers on Will, a grieving father devastated by the sudden death of his young daughter, who spirals into and isolation while attending mandatory sessions. His life of despair is interrupted when he receives anonymous recordings from a mysterious stranger, which appear to contain messages from his deceased daughter, offering him a chance to reconnect and find closure. As Will obsessively listens to the tapes, his psychological turmoil intensifies, blending raw emotional pain with eerie occurrences that challenge his grip on reality. The narrative explores themes of profound loss and the desperate quest for redemption, as Will's interactions with the recordings draw him deeper into a web of doubt and revelation during his counseling sessions, which increasingly veer into unsettling territory. This progression heightens the central , blurring the boundaries between genuine , , and otherworldly , propelling Will toward a transformative confrontation with his sorrow. Without spoiling key developments, builds to a shocking resolution that delivers on its elements, forcing Will to reckon with the true nature of the recordings and their implications for his path to healing, ultimately underscoring the interplay between the living and the .

Cast

The principal roles in ReBroken are played by Scott Hamm Duenas as Will, the grieving father haunted by his daughter's and spiraling into while attending court-ordered counseling. portrays Von, the enigmatic homeless stranger living in a who provides cryptic recordings that enable communication with the deceased. In supporting roles, Kipp Tribble appears as Bryan, Will's loyal friend who regularly drives him home from grief sessions to offer support amid his despair. plays Bella, the compassionate leader of the grief who suggests coping strategies to members like Will. Nija Okoro is cast as , a fellow support group attendee who directs Will toward Von for potential relief from his suffering. Additional supporting characters include Kenny Yates as Ronnie, Richard Siegelman as Stan, Blake Koren as Shelly, and Billy Walker as the Doctor, contributing to Will's emotional and journey.

Production

Development

The story for ReBroken was conceived by Scott Hamm Duenas, who drew from themes of and communication to craft the narrative core. The was then written by Kipp Tribble, adapting Duenas's concept into a focused script emphasizing a father's emotional turmoil. Kenny Yates was attached as , marking his debut with an approach centered on intimate character-driven to explore personal loss. The project involved production companies Toni Nycole Productions, KAYJ Entertainment, and MRP Entertainment, alongside Trick 6 Films, highlighting its independent roots through collaborative small-scale financing and creative control. Primary producers included Scott Hamm Duenas, Kipp Tribble, and Kenny Yates, who collectively steered the phase to align the film's vision with its emotional and genre elements. Development progressed as an independent endeavor, with beginning in early 2021 and wrapping by August of that year. was completed in January 2023.

Filming

Principal photography for ReBroken took place primarily , beginning in early 2021 and wrapping by August of that year, with exact shooting dates remaining undisclosed. The production emphasized intimate urban and interior settings to underscore the film's personal narrative of grief, including studio work in , and house scenes in Newhall, California. The film was shot in English and runs for 93 minutes, adopting a low-budget approach that focused on atmospheric tension rather than high-production-value visuals. As an production, ReBroken faced typical constraints of limited resources, prioritizing actor-driven scenes and minimalistic setups over elaborate sets or sequences. These challenges contributed to a raw, character-centric style that heightened the emotional intimacy of the story.

Release and reception

Release

ReBroken was distributed by , which secured the worldwide rights to the film. The film had its premiere on (VOD) and digital platforms on March 7, 2023, bypassing a wide theatrical release in favor of a direct-to-digital strategy. It became available on major streaming services including Prime Video, with a runtime of 93 minutes and an MPAA rating of PG-13 for , some , drug references, and suggestive material. Marketing efforts included trailers released in and February 2023, which prominently featured Tobin Bell's role and underscored the film's exploration of .

Reception

Upon its release, ReBroken received generally positive feedback from critics but more mixed responses from audiences. On , the film holds an 86% approval rating based on seven critic reviews, with no verified audience score available. In contrast, it has a lower user rating of 4.3 out of 10 on , derived from 531 votes. Critics praised the film's exploration of and its elements, often highlighting its emotional authenticity and strong performances. awarded it a 7 out of 10, describing ReBroken as an "earnest reflection on and , wrapped in a with a surprise at the end" and a "well-acted, intriguing picture." Reviewers also commended Tobin Bell's portrayal of the enigmatic , noting his commanding presence as a key strength that elevates the narrative's themes of redemption. However, some critiques pointed to inconsistencies in execution, particularly regarding pacing and production values. Film Inquiry observed that while the first and second acts are compelling, the film "loses its confidence" toward the end, resulting in a slower tempo that dilutes tension. Others, such as Wylie Writes, criticized the deliberate pacing for occasionally feeling stagnant and the low-budget effects for undermining the aspects, suggesting it veers more toward than outright . These elements contributed to the divide between professional acclaim and audience dissatisfaction, with some viewers finding the supernatural twist intriguing but others viewing the overall tone as uneven. The reception emphasized ReBroken's focus on the authentic portrayal of loss and familial bonds, with the surprise ending frequently cited as a memorable highlight that reinforces themes of healing and closure. The film won the Grand Jury Award for Best Picture and Best Director at the 2023 Playhouse West Film Festival. Despite limited coverage due to its video-on-demand distribution, the film has not garnered major festival awards beyond these or significant box office data as of 2025, maintaining a niche appeal among indie horror enthusiasts.

References

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    ReBroken
    ### Summary of ReBroken (2023)
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    ReBroken | Rotten Tomatoes
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    Overall, "ReBroken" is a must-see film that is sure to leave a lasting impression on audiences. It is a powerful, emotional journey that will leave viewers ...