Shook: A Quiet Exploration of Trauma, Healing, and Connection

Imagine a film that quietly sneaks under your skin, makes you laugh, tugs at your heart, and leaves you thinking about it long after the credits roll. That’s exactly what Amar Wala’s Shook does. It’s a Canadian film that takes you on the journey of Ashish, a struggling writer trying to find his place in the world while grappling with the complexities of family, culture, and identity. With its soft tone, subtle acting, and authentic portrayal of Toronto’s multicultural landscape, the movie balances humor and heartfelt drama effortlessly. The film also features a very nice, subtle background score that adds flavor to every scene, enhancing its emotional depth without ever overpowering it.

Ashish, played by Sameer Usmani, is the quintessential “most sorted guy” on the surface, but underneath, his life is far from it. As a budding author, he constantly faces rejection and navigates the politics of the publishing world, while trying to maintain relationships with a father he struggles to connect with, a mother, a younger brother, and a small circle of friends. When he enters a new romantic relationship with Claire, played by Amy Forsyth, it feels like his life is finally falling into order, but the reality is far messier.

The story takes a deeper turn when Ashish learns of his father’s Parkinson’s diagnosis. This revelation triggers a journey of confronting trauma, processing pain, and learning to accept happiness. The movie’s strength lies in showing this transformation with quiet sensitivity and authenticity.

Shook shines in its everyday, relatable moments. The film opens in a coffee shop, setting a peppy and lighthearted yet observant tone. Ashish’s comment, “I was taken off guard,” perfectly captures the awkward microaggressions brown Canadians often face. Tense yet understated confrontations with his father in a restaurant, as well as a funny, uncomfortable chat in a grocery store, reveal their complex dynamic. The film gently pokes fun at the divide between Scarborough residents and downtown Torontonians, while tender moments like his father struggling to drive a bus due to Parkinson’s add quiet emotional weight. Interactions with his younger brother provide levity, and a calm, understated breakup illustrates Ashish’s inability to handle emotional mess, but also sets the stage for growth.

Some of the most beautiful scenes in the film are when Ashish has a moment of realization about Claire, when he shares a very heartfelt interaction with his father while cooking, and the last scene when he rides home with his mother on a bus. These moments are simple yet profound, capturing the quiet emotional depth that lingers long after the movie ends.

The film excels in portraying subtle yet complex emotions. It explores trauma, denial, and the process of emotional healing. Sensitive topics such as infidelity, cross-cultural love, subtle racism, complex parent-child dynamics, and aging illnesses are handled with nuance. Humor is woven throughout, making serious themes approachable, and the acting feels effortless, reflecting real human emotions without exaggeration. The soft, subtle music in the background enhances these moments, adding warmth and emotional resonance to both comedic and serious scenes.

That said, Shook is deeply rooted in Canadian culture, particularly the South Asian diaspora in Toronto. Some local references, like the pains of missing the last subway or subtle neighborhood rivalries between Scarborough and downtown, may fly over the heads of international audiences. Its slow, understated pace might also feel too “quiet” for viewers expecting high drama.

Ultimately, Shook is a soft yet powerful exploration of family, identity, and personal growth. Through Ashish’s journey, the film reminds us that even those who appear “sorted” on the outside can be quietly wrestling with life’s messiness, and that confronting pain is the first step toward genuine happiness. It’s a film that lingers in your mind, offering moments of laughter, reflection, and ultimately, hope, all enhanced by its subtle music that beautifully complements its emotional beats.