The promotion of mental health has always been around, but it has become a common topic in recent films. With indie films like Aftersun discussing men’s depression and animated blockbusters like Inside Out 2 discussing how anxiety plays a role in society, filmmakers have become attached to the idea of promoting mental health in their films. Omaha is the latest film to fall in that category, disclosing how mental health plays a role in the life of a struggling father as well as a child forced into responsibility.

Omaha follows a father, played by John Magaro, who takes his two children, Ella (Molly Belle Wright) and Charlie(Wyatt Solis), on a trip to Omaha, Nebraska. What starts out as a typical road trip adventure eventually becomes something much darker as Ella discovers the true intentions of the vacation. Although the premise is simple at face value, it becomes an extremely complex look at childhood and the role of providing in an unforgettable and emotionally grueling experience.

The ensemble consists mainly of the three family members, all of whom are brilliant in their roles. Wyatt Solis is perfect as the youngest son who’s oblivious to everything that happens in front of him. It’s as if he never read the script, which goes to show how authentic his portrayal was. John Magaro plays the complete opposite of Charlie, a father who is overwhelmed by his current life and unable to find happiness. Seeing him slowly break down throughout the film made for the most heart-wrenching sequences, with a diner scene perfectly capturing the anger, sadness, and resentment he feels toward himself and his life choices. Magaro has given excellent performances in the past, but his work in Omaha easily stands as one of his best.

Ella is the perfect mix of Charlie and Dad, having a small understanding of her family’s current situation while still having the naivety of a child. Wright conveys the complex character perfectly, attempting to cope with her father’s current state of mind while also being a positive figure for her younger brother. Wright may have had a breakout performance in 2024’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, but her work in this film immediately places her among the best child actors working today.

Although it’s easy to identify Ohama as a straight drama because of its subject matter, it also functions as a coming-of-age film. John Magaro, identified as “Dad,” is a lost character, forcing Ella to take on greater responsibility despite being 9 years old. She not only has to help take care of her younger brother, but is forced to do things most children don’t do until they reach adolescence. From helping her dad start his car and paying for gas, Ella is restricted from living a normal childhood due to her dad’s brokenness.

The film gives equal empathy to the father. Recently losing his wife and facing financial issues, seeing Dad try to balance being a good father to his kids while overcoming his own turmoil makes for an extremely well-rounded character. His main flaw—and one of the film’s biggest takeaways—is his inability to distinguish between parenting and providing. Similar to Channing Tatum’s character in Roofman, Dad believes that to be a fulfilling parent, he has to give his children everything they want. After making a gargantuan mistake in the film’s climax, he begins to understand that being a good parent is less about what he gives them and more about what he represents to them, and seeing this arc fulfilled at the end made the film’s tragic elements much more rewarding.

Dad is not only a representation of parenthood but a depiction of men’s mental health. A common trope among men is their inability to speak up about their issues, instead burying them in hopes that they will go away. According to the ADAA, men are less likely to speak about their mental health issues due to cultural factors, such as fatherhood, race, and socioeconomic status, that our society is built on. This aspect is brilliantly portrayed through John Magaro’s performance and Robert Machoian’s writing, delving into the causes of these mental health issues and outlining the steps to get help.

There are specific scenes and visuals that leave a strong impact in the first two-thirds, but the film’s true standout is its ending. The answer to why the father decided to take the trip to Omaha is one of the most devastating reveals in a drama this decade. Although the film slowly hinted at its intention throughout, the reveal still hits an emotional chord that is impossible to avoid. The film also has a final text sequence that reveals more of the film’s intentions, which makes for a stronger rewatch value while bringing more context to past sequences in the film, especially with scenes involving the father’s state of mind. From the incredible acting of the ensemble to the heartbreaking final line from John Magaro, very few films this year will leave as big an impact as the ending of Omaha.

Omaha may be a hard film to get through, but its depiction of parenthood and mental health makes for an extremely necessary and worthwhile watch. It may be small in scale, but the titanic performances by the ensemble and a knockout finale make it one of the best and most impactful films of 2025.

Omaha screened as a Narrative Feature at the 2025 Heartland International Film Festival. A theatrical release date from Greenwich Entertainment is currently unknown.

Rating: 9/10

Oscar Prospects:

None