IT'S WHAT SHE WOULD HAVE WANTED | Omeleto

A group of friends destroy a dead friend's secrets.
IT'S WHAT SHE WOULD HAVE WANTED is used with permission from Nate Trinrud. Learn more at natetrinrud.com.
Maggie welcomes a group of childhood friends back home after the unexpected death of Debra, one of their own. The long-time friends have not just converged for the funeral, but also to fulfill a childhood pact to destroy evidence of their friend's most embarrassing secrets.
So the group sneaks into Deb's childhood home and combs through her bedroom, unearthing incriminating objects and messages. But as they search, long-buried resentments bubble up between them -- including a few shocking secrets that might change how some of them feel about their friend.
Directed by Nate Trinrud from a script written by Marie Semla, who plays the anchor role of Maggie, this short dramedy examines loyalty and love in female friendships, and how it's challenged by secrets, individual choices and the vicissitudes of life. There are plenty of quips, quirky character flourishes and some ribald touches in the sharp, witty writing to amp up the comedy. But at the core, the film focuses on how feelings about a friend can grow complicated, even when they're gone, making for a resonant emotional impact.
With its punchy rhythm and dynamic visuals, the effervescent opening introduces the group in a rush of buoyant energy, and the ensemble is broadly drawn, though specific, with a fun, lived-in dynamic between them all. Maggie stands out as the solid, no-nonsense leader, spearheading and corralling everyone in the operation as they up-end their friend's old bedroom. They uncover funny, incriminating things that indicate Deb's wild side, but when Maggie unearths something with more serious implications, the film shifts registers.
Though all the actors are solid and memorable, as an actor, Semla covers the most emotional ground as Maggie, as the discovery changes her feelings towards her deceased friend. She is shocked, and her grief takes on a different shading, becoming more ambiguous and complex. Semla deftly conveys Maggie's anguish, pulling the film into more serious territory, and she must reconcile her love for her friend with what she uncovers about her.
In many ways, IT'S WHAT SHE WOULD HAVE WANTED is a story about legacy and grief, especially when we learn things about someone that complicate our feelings for them and they're not available to reconcile the ambiguity. Those feelings of betrayal have no easily available recourse for resolution; they sit there, congealing and festering. But Maggie can come to some peace when she sees a bigger context for her suffering and witnesses a deeper sorrow than her own. We're left pondering what we want to leave to our loved ones, and how to carry the love in the present into the future when we're not with them to make repairs or memories anymore.

[@fiveoctaves]

I was part of a group that did this. You can find a lot about a person after he/she is deceased...more than you'll ever want to know.

[@gemstar7286]

That is so disturbing that she had an affair with her friend's dad .... did girl code mean nothing to her?.

[@YrimuMay]

I had a friend and we promised to do this for each other some day. We fell out in 2022 after 29 years of friendship. This film reminded me of what our friendship WAS to each other. 😢

[@saziaehesana3583]

​@@YrimuMay 29 whole years!!!! Might be something huge that seperated you people. But i hope someday you girls can reconcile.

[@conniehanses]

Yes indeed..I'm 59 and packing to move near my two children. Getting rid of stuff..😳 Kept a journal for therapy and threw away all of my private thoughts..I just don't want to cause any pain after I leave for what's next..Having to go through my mother's things, I wished I'd known the story's behind them..This is what I want to be able to share with them.💙🌎🤟

[@stevecheevers7337]

@@gemstar7286 Seemingly not. It's a comedy so they play it for laughs somewhat in this. But that's a massive betrayal from her father and her closet friend. She seems fine with it too and still goes through with the pact. I think it would have hit harder having her walk out not do it. Seen as she was closet friend of the dead girl.

[@jimhendricks88]

Great chemistry with the actors, and the timing was really tight. Nice job with this! Loved it.

[@leenuhae9311]

As a filmmaker, I had conceived and written a short film similar to this one, although it never made it to production. Watching this emotional and energetic short film reminds me of how immature I was when I conceived it, as I approached it as a serious drama rather than a drama+comedy like this film. I would like to thank the crew and actors for making such a great short film.

[@MohamedHAli-dv8is]

Hello, am upcoming filmmaker and I am struggling to write a short film script Could you help plz.

[@wannabemedontu]

The friend still reading the diary while they were hiding just sent me😅😂😂

[@jerrysstories711]

This was intriguing, suspenseful, engrossing... Congratulations, Marie and Selma on this success!

[@zombiasnow15]

Sooo happy to find a new Omeleto in my notifications! Loved it. Great storyline. I’d make a pact like that, if I had friends 😮

[@cbird4922]

I’ll be your friend! A pact like this would be great. Fair warning, you’re going to need a bulldozer!

[@zacharyhawley1693]

😂 I like they took it seriously ride or die style.

[@neverXgrowXold]

This was such a good film. Like I read in one of the comments, the actors were perfectly matched. They had a rapport & it made the film even better. I didn't want it to end. I'm really hoping there will be a "It's What She Would Have Wanted 2!" Great job. It kept me interested & wanting more.

[@daftyduckie4207]

did anyone else think the dad killed her when she rejected his proposal and they accidentally burned the evidence?

[@bjb7587]

Nah. Too complicated for such a short film, no indication of such, and not in keeping with the emotional tone. OTOH, if it was longer, or a series, your idea might as an interesting wrinkle.

[@godofmath1039]

No, because it wasn't shown in the film.

[@jeanniethompson561]

No, but it’d make a great sequel.

[@GoddessAthena_here]

The relationship with her father is going to be great from then on.

[@alli13941]

loved the script, the directing and the acting. they make for believable friends.

[@juliaconnell]

"everybody ready?" *yes* "julia!" "no" "no" 💓💗💓🤣😂🤣 seriously though, this was *awesome* - start to finish, every bit in-between, LOVED it! shorts like *this* - precious gems - are why I subscribe to Omeleto - thank you to all involved ❤🧑‍🍳👌😘

[@christineone66]

I really enjoyed, it was funny, sad, angry and happy all in one. The actress were perfect the director just about everyone did a Great Job. How you guys are able to tell a short story like this is 😎

[@jshelton100]

How will Maggie keep this secret from her father?

[@bjb7587]

Is he even still alive?

[@stevecheevers7337]

How does Maggie still go through with the pact after finding out her friend betrayed her like that, not just her father. That part of the short doesn't work for me. I would have preferred if she didn't go through with it and left after that.

[@felipelotas5609]

Superbly written, shot and edited...Another jewel I´ll remember for a long, long time...A+ for me!!!

[@jeffffro7674]

Omeleto has done it again, you are the best channel here. Hands down. This was one of the best posts in a long time, they're all good of course but this one was above and beyond. Everyone should have friends willing to go to such lengths to help them even when they are gone. I think that's why it hit me so hard, I don't have anyone who even consider doing me any favors after I'm dead, not one. Not a good thought to have. Great flick though! 👍

[@juliaconnell]

you're not alone - in not having friends like this - actually I think we're in the majority, just media depicts, well, this -

[@ismewhat1234]

They are too freaking funny lol crazy girls😅R.I.P Deb🥺 can I get AMAN🙏

[@ehrlich_]

No

[@juliaconnell]

@@ehrlich_ spoil sport 😜

[@juliaconnell]

AMAN - hallelujah - RIP Deb 🙏 - although fictional, she must have been pretty awesome, going by her friends 😉

[@WildDisaster]

So they have to break in the house, but one of them knows the alarm code? I hate it when these small details aren't thought out.

[@jbtechcon7434]

Yeah, what did the others think the plan was?

[@A0A4ful]

Probably the alarm code too was inserted in by the deceased, as part of the pact...

[@jeffffro7674]

She told us exactly how she knew the code, were you not paying attention?

[@estoniass]

it's her birthday 🎉 unplug your ears

[@whoathatsanicememe3093]

just because she knew the alarm code once they got into the house doesn’t negate a locked door. real life is pretty darn difficult, maybe don’t sweat the small stuff on a fictional story.

[@joannas7927]

This was great! I'd follow future stories of this group.

[@dandeliondreamer3365]

Well done…multidimensional, could be expanded into a longer film or series 👍

[@tishw4576]

I was hooked when the camera panned to the friend wearing the mask. This would be a fantastic comedy series or movie.

[@sqd8r]

Never hold on to commitments made before 25. You realize how silly they were, and damaging as an adult to hold on to. Great fun film, as usual, Omeleto.

[@inoox]

im 1:30 in and... they break in and are SHOCKED that she knew the passcode to the security alarm? Really? You mean to tell me they went in there without knowing that anyone knows it?! Not a very good start lmao

[@Bubba1960.]

My friend and I have a similar pact, for our browser histories.

[@bjb7587]

Passwords.

[@juliaconnell]

@@bjb7587 valid point - most of the time I can't remember my own passwords! 🙃

[@juliaconnell]

dammit Rosco - now I'm curious about your browser history 😂

[@jeanniethompson561]

The acting was great. The script was a bit too contrived.

[@charlestaylor3195]

This was good. These girls are good actors. What a thought proking film, makes me think there are a few things I should do, ya know, just in case. In my case it would just confirm what they already thought might be true. I gotta get busy.

[@Ann71987]

Me and my highschool friends had to do this with one of our friends we even planned his funeral it was just after we graduated and it was hard but we had a great weekend to remember that was 26 years ago now and I remember it like it was yesterday 😊

[@luxuryqueen42]

Just curious. Did u graduate in 1996 or 1997?

[@Ann71987]

@@luxuryqueen42 '97

[@somebodyis]

Great short shot

[@RHKhan86]

Good film. I like the Short Hair Asian Girl a lot. Good Chemistry between all actresses. But secret wasn't that good.

[@Marchant2]

I give this one an A minus (I've been watching so many of these videos that I'm just giving them grades now). Good acting. Interesting topic. Clever twist. Could've had a little more plot development.

[@felipelotas5609]

Please, inform the audience about your A+ choices...everybody is waiting.

[@powlperc]

Held my attention

[@ldavanzo44]

My girlfriend and I have a pact to go in before our families and dispose of any " pleasure tools" ;)

[@MoonChild-po9du]

Best sf I've seen in a while

[@CaptRich-bi3gp]

I enjoyed the film; all except, why would they leave a burnt mess in the pool? That doesn't make any sense to me. They've already left evidence of a break in; which it most likely will be difficult to explain all their fingerprints associated with. Why not get the stuff then cut and run, destroy it at a safe location without risk at being caught in the act?

[@laurieparis2203]

I think for the visuals? Bc a mess like that in a pool is going to create all sorts of problems, draw attention to the very things they want hidden.

[@VeretenoVids]

Was it the pool at the dead girl's house or someone else's house? I wasn't' clear on that.

[@laurieparis2203]

@@VeretenoVids Good question! I would have preferred it being a pond, would have been equally compelling visually and made infinitely more sense. Or a huge bonfire, where items where thrown into it individually by the various characters, although that's fairly cliché. You don't want leave your audience pondering logistics, it's distracting from the content. Would love the creator to chime in on this.... why was a swimming pool chosen?

[@CaptRich-bi3gp]

@@laurieparis2203 I like your pond idea! That would work and make sense, you're good at this.

[@CaptRich-bi3gp]

@@VeretenoVids I'm fairly certain it the deceased woman's house. The other women are at a table by a pool while the daughter of the Dad in question is still up in the bedroom of the deceased.

[@deelynn8611]

I told all mine, best way to have peace.

[@demetrius235]

This was a great short.

[@shershersher]

this is amazing!! performances and the dialogue are top notch!

[@irri4662]

Captivating heart touching fascinating and contiveplaintive .love the variation thoughts.

[@MCPanda6969]

always wonderful to see kimia behpoornia in things!

[@sunnyrivers]

Brilliant👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@KellyKurowski]

Love this!! Great concept!!! And go Des!!

[@michaelmorgan9824]

All I can say is excellent! Great definition of all characters.

[@selinaoakley3613]

I really enjoyed this. 🙏

[@cas4040]

This had me nostalgic, laughing, and crying all in one sitting. Really well done.

[@durasaxon5131]

The problems of the children of the super rich. That house must be worth in excess of 15 - 20 Million Dollars USD. I do not see this as plausible. Somehow I think these girls are real friends.

[@ForestGirlTeresa]

A really good story, well-acted and poignant. It makes me question what my friends would discover I they did this to me. 😱

[@molliwilson5639]

Excellent

[@houby1632]

boo dont cancel the pact

[@dahnnyc]

Wow! Fabulous! Stylish, funny, sexy, and very touching at the same time! AND great cinematography! Congratulations to the team!

[@ACoustaDC]

This was really special.

[@Cartier_specialist]

Strange pact.

[@davidgallego2854]

Witch craft

[@luxuryqueen42]

Who do u trust to dispose your secret stashes after u leave this earth?

[@glennparker5516]

Great job cast and crew. No comment this some real chicksba stuff.

[@A0A4ful]

So, is this an episode of the 'Valley Girls With Empathy'?

[@carmelbrain7399]

sad

[@irri4662]

❤❤❤❤❤❤ +❤❤

[@TonyIgnatova]

I enjoyed it a lot! Kudos to the filmmakers 🎉

[@jayrey5390]

What an awesome story by an amazing cast, thank you!

[@lovelife2day]

Very well done.

[@emergentform1188]

Very cute and fun, bravo!

[@angelapastorius2377]

You guys produce some of the BEST short films!! The ending was perfect ... the whole ring bit ... delivery, fantastic. You guys are fire! 🔥🔥🔥

[@inger13]

Well done

[@margkropf5541]

So intrusive, invasive and inappropriate. How do these young women live with themselves??!!!

[@VeretenoVids]

Um it's what they all promised each other they would do if one of them died.

[@GwenActually]

I mean for starters it's a film, not real life... do you wonder how marvel superheroes live with themselves too? Enjoy the fiction

[@paulchuck8245]

First one to say first

[@GwenActually]

wow, hey look, it's 2003 again, when it was still cool to say first! I found a time traveler!

[@wherestheexit5046]

Oof

[@davidgray557]

Worst one of these what horrible vacuous characters talking empty nonsense, if they could all have fallen in the pool drunk, lord help humanity if this is what people are wasting their time doing

[@theobserver8]

What exactly are talking about?