We Strangers

Inspired by Valia’s own experiences growing up in and around Gary, Indiana, the film chronicles Ray’s struggle to live and work among the city’s posh, upper-class residents. Ray’s diligence isn’t a mark of professional pride, but rather her relentless ambition to get ahead by any means necessary— even at the cost of her own time and energy. “I’m into all that voodoo stuff,” Jean tells Ray while the latter cleans her house. “I’ve always been interested in getting someone to do whatever I want,” a role which Ray is more than happy to fulfill, lying to Jean that she is susceptible to clairvoyant premonitions and visions. From there on, Ray conducts “readings” for Jean and Tracy (Sarah Goldberg), Neeraj’s taciturn wife, drawing on her chance observations of their respective households to implicitly advise her clients on what they should do, without them knowingly forfeiting their own autonomy and power.