New No-Budget Feature, "Stockton to Table Rock" Captures the Complexities of Abuse

It is every young filmmakers dream to one day direct a feature length film. For most, this opportunity will come from the backing of a major studio, because thousands or even millions of dollars don't just fall out of the sky. In that regard, making a feature film is something that you wait years and years for. That is, unless you're director, Bradley Elliot Norton, who decided to round up a team of creatives and make the film, Stockton to Table Rock on a measly budget of $10,000. This 2025 release, now available on Prime Video would go on to prove that money is no obstacle when it comes to a good story.

Stockton to Table follows the story of queer teenager, Rori, played by Zoe Kelly, as she navigates her last week of high school, her love life, and most importantly, her relationship with her mother, Shelly. It's clear from the start that Rori and Shelly have a loving yet strained relationship, after all, it's just the two of them. Shelly, played by Jessica Morris, had her daughter extremely young and spends her nights working late at a local bar, making the two live just above the poverty line. This of course, puts Jessica under a lot of stress, that she copes with by turning to alcohol.

The film has a linear story that is often interrupted by brief flashbacks of Rori's childhood. As the film goes on it becomes increasingly clear that Rori has always had to be the mature, stoic one in her home while her mother constantly flies off the handle. Tormented by years of trauma, Shelly finds herself ill-equipped to be the supportive mother Rori needs. An unfortunate, harsh reality for far too many people around the world.

Something that is brought up way less than it should be in conversations about abuse is that "abusive" households are rarely just that. The reason that most victims don't come forward is because there can be a great deal of affection present in the house as well, leading to conflicting emotions and major guilt for the victim. This is very well exemplified in Stockton to Table Rock because although it's clear that Shelly is unwell and mistreats her daughter, the two characters have grown close after years of relying on each other. The film has a refreshing take on abuse that should be far more present on screen.

In addition to abuse, the film also dabbles with the politics of being queer. While many parents out there like to think they'd be supportive if a family member came out to them, the reality is usually more complicated. It's one thing to accept a friend or stranger, but for a lot of people it's much harder to wrap their head around their own child being queer. Shelly is one of those people. She is accepting, but has reservations and fears on behalf of her daughter. Once again, an underrepresented reality that Stockton to Table Rock isn't afraid to confront.

The most impressive part of Bradley Elliot Norton's Stockton to Table Rock is just how much it's able to accomplish with so few resources. It's a story as personal as it is universal, but above all it's a beacon of hope for young filmmakers out there, proving that you don't need a giant budget to make something special. It's a heavy but worthwhile watch for next time you find yourself browsing through Amazon Prime Video.