My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To is a remarkable indie film with a solid concept from writer-director Jonathan Cuartas.

Jesse and Dwight are the caretakers of their younger brother Thomas, who is afflicted with a mysterious disease that renders him unable to leave their small home. Only wanting what is best for their brother, Jesse homeschools Thomas at night and works as a waitress during the day while Dwight prowls around town hunting for homeless people he can kill so that his brother can feed on their blood. As the murders start to weigh heavier on Dwight, he begins to question how much longer he can go on.

This movie has been stuck in my head for a few days now. It’s probably one of the saddest things I’ve ever seen and is definitely what I consider to be a film. The message and question about how far you would go for family is something that resonates with me. As the oldest child in a family of 8, it’s very easy to ask me that question and I would respond with anything, but this film really made me think about what extremes I would go to. The film is claustrophobic and way less exciting than the title would make it out to be, but don’t let that dissuade you from watching it.

My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To is available to rent on Amazon Prime.