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Gabriel is a 2014 indie drama film directed and written by Lou Howe. The story revolves around a troubled young man named Gabriel (played by Rory Culkin) who is trying to cope with mental illness. Gabriel is the youngest of three brothers who all left their home to pursue their goals, leaving their mother (Deirdre O'Connell) alone in the house. Gabriel's goal is to be with his first love, Alice (Emily Meade), and to be free of his overbearing mother's grasp.

The film opens with Gabriel being temporarily released from a psychiatric hospital. Gabriel's mother is there to pick him up, and she takes him back to their home in upstate New York. The family home is situated in a lush green garden, surrounded by tall trees, in sharp contrast to the stark, sterile hospital environment. Gabriel's mother dotes on him, fussing over his every need, but Gabriel is distant, unresponsive and aloof. He spends most of his time sitting in his room, obsessively writing letters to Alice. His mother tries to forge a connection with him but is met with mild aggression and apathy.

Gabriel's brothers, Matt (David Call) and Leo (Lou Taylor Pucci), come to visit. They find Gabriel's condition unchanged, and Matt is convinced that Gabriel needs to be hospitalized indefinitely. Leo disagrees, and the two brothers begin to argue, eventually coming to blows. Matt and Leo's visit serves to highlight the family's deep-rooted issues, and their different viewpoints on how to deal with Gabriel's struggles.

Throughout the movie, Gabriel's hallucinations and delusions take center stage, and the audience is drawn into the world of his troubled mind. Gabriel is consumed by his obsession with Alice, and his fixation becomes increasingly erratic and dangerous. He steals a car and drives to New York City to find her, but when he does, she's with another man. Gabriel's response is volatile, and he winds up in jail.

The tense climax of the movie sees the family gathered together, with Gabriel's mental state reaching a fever pitch. Gabriel's mother tries to connect with him one final time, but things take a turn for the worse. The final scene is both heartbreaking and hopeful, as Gabriel realizes that he needs help, and the family comes together to support him.

Gabriel is a powerful, moving film that explores the complexities of living with mental illness, and the impact it has on families. The film is anchored by Rory Culkin's brilliant performance as Gabriel, who manages to convey the character's inner turmoil and fragility with great skill. The supporting cast is equally strong, with Deirdre O'Connell turning in a subtle, nuanced portrayal of Gabriel's mother, and David Call and Lou Taylor Pucci embodying the dual perspectives of how to deal with mental illness.

Lou Howe's direction is restrained and thoughtful, with a keen eye for detail that draws the audience into Gabriel's world. The film's pacing is deliberate, but the tension never lets up, as Gabriel's mental state spirals out of control. The cinematography is also worth noting, with the lush greenery of upstate New York providing a striking contrast to the concrete jungle of New York City.

In conclusion, Gabriel is a touching and poignant film that shines a light on the challenges faced by those living with mental illness, and the impact it has on their loved ones. It's a deeply human story that is sure to resonate with anyone who has dealt with mental health issues themselves or knows someone who has.

Gabriel is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 67.