Watch Sex After Kids

Sex After Kids is a 2013 independent film that explores the challenges of maintaining intimacy and sexuality after becoming a parent. Directed by Jeremy Lalonde, the film follows seven couples who are struggling to find time for romantic connections while raising young children. It stars a talented ensemble cast that includes Paul Amos, Shannon Beckner, Katie Boland, and a host of other talented Canadian actors. The film's title offers a hint at the challenges that its characters will face. When we first meet them, they are all dealing with the immediate aftermath of childbirth: sleep deprivation, physical exhaustion, and the sudden, overwhelming responsibility of caring for a tiny human being. As the weeks and months pass, we see how each couple copes with the demands of parenthood, and how these demands impact their relationships with one another. Despite its title, Sex After Kids is more than just a raunchy comedy. Lalonde's script is surprisingly nuanced, and he eschews many of the cliches of the genre in favor of a more thoughtful exploration of the challenges of parenthood. We see how the characters' priorities shift as they become parents, and how sex and intimacy can become casualties of this transition. The film's main strength is its cast, who bring an authentic sense of humor and vulnerability to their roles. Paul Amos and Shannon Beckner play a couple who are struggling to keep the spark alive in their marriage amidst the chaos of parenthood. Beckner's character is a stay-at-home mom who feels trapped in her role, while Amos's character is an actor who is forced to take on commercial work to support the family. Their chemistry is palpable, and their scenes together are both funny and deeply relatable. Katie Boland delivers a standout performance as a new mother who is struggling with postpartum depression. Her character spends much of the film withdrawn and uncommunicative, leaving her partner feeling helpless and frustrated. Boland portrays this difficult emotional state with nuance, never resorting to melodrama or caricature. Other notable performances come from Grace Lynn Kung and Jay Brazeau, who play an older couple struggling to keep their relationship alive, and Zoie Palmer and Kris Holden-Ried, who play a couple with conflicting desires and priorities. Each of these stories unfolds in a naturalistic, authentic way, with Lalonde allowing his characters time and space to explore their emotions and experiences. Visually, Sex After Kids is a low-key affair, shot in a mostly naturalistic style with an emphasis on close-ups and medium shots. Lalonde avoids flashy camera work or overly stylized lighting, instead choosing to let the actors and the script speak for themselves. The film's soundtrack features a mix of indie rock and acoustic music, but never feels obtrusive or manipulative. While Sex After Kids is a low-budget indie film, it manages to touch on a universal experience that many viewers will identify with. The film's exploration of the challenges of intimacy and parenthood is both funny and emotionally resonant, and its talented cast delivers nuanced and relatable performances. Lalonde's direction is subtle and sensitive, allowing his characters to shine and giving time for their stories to unfold organically. Overall, Sex After Kids is a smart and engaging independent film that will appeal to anyone who has struggled to balance the demands of parenthood with the desire for physical and emotional connection.