There comes a time when actions have consequences. Rage, power, and imagination are all featured in Anchorage. Directed by Scott Monahan and written by Dakota Loesch (Monahan and Loesch are also the two leads in the film), this is an independent film that goes above and beyond with displaying the realism of drug addiction. Anchorage is powerful in the way it portrays the life struggles of two brothers who are drug addicts and only have each other. Sadly, both are out-of-control with their substance abuse habits. 

The film focuses on two brothers, Jacob (Monahan) and John (Loesch). The brothers drive from Florida to Alaska with aspirations based on their trunk loaded with opioids. They have it in their head that they will be rich based on the money they can make selling drugs. However, they make choices on the road that cause legal challenges. As the brothers hit the deserts of California, arguments grow into catastrophic moments. They keep getting more destructive and violent as their resentment towards each other builds. The message of Anchorage is clearly that there are consequences with addiction. It is poetic due to its realistic depiction of what happens when control is lost due to drug abuse.

There is a backdrop of conflict that flows throughout Anchorage. The audience will begin to realize who is smarter during the road trip. The film is often unsettling and depressing. The experience of Anchorage makes the screen burn with hatred and tough love. It becomes clear that Jacob and John feel that opioids are their only shot to get by in life and create new beginnings. The truth is that they will only create more hardships for themselves pursuing this path. The film’s cinematography lights up the screen with strong reactions from the impact of the drugs. It is an emotional rollercoaster that is uncomfortable but also connecting.

Ultimately, it is the brotherhood theme of Anchorage that reinforces the irreparable consequences to the brothers’ decisions.  Jacob cannot do anything with John and John cannot do anything without Jacob. Their life of thrills has many ups and downs fueled by opioids. Anchorage dives into the challenge of not being able to leave family, even in tough love scenarios. It is a portrait of inevitable actions which gets to the point where it is clear that Jacob and John will not ditch each other, but go down together, or die trying.

The desert surrounding Anchorage is the location of the film’s chaos. The empty lands are the ideal setting for the growing tensions between Jacob and John. Their feeling of freedom only fuels their destructive behavior.

Anchorage is one of the most detrimental, yet realistic experiences in an independent film I have seen in years. The writing is strong, and the budget is limited. The story involves crossing boundaries as it applies to going over the limit with the use of opioids. It is also a faithful portrayal of how drug abuse damages brain development. Anchorage is a revelation that is difficult to watch in parts and has outcomes that are hard to accept. In the end, it all makes sense based on the build-up of chaos during the brother’s damaging journey. Three and a half stars out of four stars.