Filmmaker Myrid Carten's new documentary, "A Want in Her," provides a raw and unflinching look at her relationship with her mother, who struggles with bipolar disorder and alcoholism. The film is gaining critical acclaim for its honest portrayal of family trauma.
October 8, 2025
Source:
The Irish Independent
A Raw Portrait of Addiction and Love
Filmmaker Myrid Carten's documentary "A Want in Her" offers a searingly intimate look into her relationship with her mother, Nuala, who navigates life with both bipolar disorder and alcoholism. The film presents an unfiltered view of the complexities of familial love when overshadowed by mental illness and addiction.
This documentary is not just a personal story but a deep dive into themes that resonate with many families. It explores the difficult balance between care and enablement, a common struggle for those supporting loved ones with addiction.
Central Themes Explored
Familial Trauma: The film lays bare the cyclical pain and generational impact of addiction and mental health struggles within a family.
Accountability vs. Love: Carten grapples with the painful need to hold her mother accountable without withdrawing love, a central conflict in the narrative.
Role Reversal: It highlights the dynamic where a child must become a parental figure to their own parent, a situation often forced by chronic illness. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), co-occurring disorders like these present unique and profound challenges for families.
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Source:
The Irish Independent
An Unflinching Filmmaking Style
Carten employs a mix of media to construct her narrative, blending old home movies, recorded phone calls, and new verité footage. This approach immerses the viewer directly into the family's turbulent emotional landscape.
The handheld, often unsettling camera work captures the raw and unpredictable nature of life in their home. This stylistic choice avoids sentimentalism, instead offering a candid and confronting experience.
From Past to Present
The film opens with a powerful scene where Myrid finds her mother in a vulnerable state in Belfast, immediately establishing the ongoing crisis. This present-day reality is constantly juxtaposed with archival footage, creating a poignant portrait of what has been lost and what remains.
The documentary also delves into painful family disputes over inherited property, revealing how addiction and mental illness complicate every facet of life, from daily interactions to long-term family security.
Read More
Source:
Irish Examiner
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