I am not a psychiatrist, nor do I have direct experience with the specific issues depicted in this film, so I am perfectly willing to hear that I am wrong.

That said, DID I? is a really earnest and genuine story about a woman with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID),  what was previously known as multiple personality disorder.

This one was done on a tight budget, started as an Indiegogo campaign. It makes great use of what it has, which is strong writing and strong acting from the lead, Alexandra Pica, who plays two distinct characters — the high-strung Genevieve, a writer for a true-crime style TV show, and Stevie, her partying, hellion alter-ego.

Well, I say alter-ego.

To my untrained eye, this looks like a new and nuanced way to address the topic of DID without invoking Psycho. Genevieve tries to make it in a high-stress world, is very pinned down, and must deal with waking up with a hangover from a night she doesn’t remember. She’s lying to her therapist, convinced if the therapist knew about Stevie, Genevieve would “lose everything.” As we begin the story, we see Genevieve as tired of being put upon, both by life and by the complication that is Stevie, who seems to be ramping up her shenanigans.

Soon Stevie starts showing up more, and the two converse and argue as Genevieve tries to navigate the inside of her own head.

Honestly, it’s hard to write about any of the rest of the story without spoiling this well-crafted movie. There are hints and clues and while there’s no big Shyamalan “what a twist!” ending, it is a mystery of sorts and Genevieve tries to figure out what is going on. The ending is satisfying and earned.

This movie is REALLY good. Like, in ways I didn’t expect. I’m still pondering it. It’s the sort of movie you want to talk about with friends. But it’s tough to write about without spoilers.

This is a really fresh take on mental health in a thriller that isn’t “O, he’s crazy!” It’s also fun to see a woman-centric thriller that isn’t a slasher or a relationship-gone-wrong.

I cannot find out where or if it’s streaming anywhere, but it’s been doing the festival rounds. Keep your eyes peeled for this one.

9 out of 10 Stress Balls of Various Colors