New Movies: Thirsty (2025) by Emily Abt: A Public Defender's Fight for Power and Morality in Oakland

"Thirsty" is a new narrative feature film written and directed by Emily Abt, an acclaimed filmmaker known for her socially conscious works, including the Sundance-nominated "Toe to Toe." The film centers on a gutsy public defender who embarks on an ambitious campaign to unseat the incumbent mayor of Oakland. As she navigates the cutthroat world of local politics, she must confront the moral compromises inherent in the game while striving to keep her family intact. "Thirsty" had a limited theatrical and festival run, with a digital release on June 6, 2025, through Gravitas Ventures.

Summary Short

Emily Abt's "Thirsty" (2025) follows a tenacious public defender as she mounts an upstart campaign for mayor of Oakland. Starring Jamie Neumann, Sung Kang, and Kyra Sedgwick, the political drama explores her battle to reconcile her moral compass with the seductive nature of power, all while trying to protect her family. The film, which completed production in Winter 2022, had its digital release on June 6, 2025.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26217712/

About movie: https://www.purelandpictures.com/thirsty

Link to watch: https://athome.fandango.com/content/browse/details/Thirsty/4157388?cmp=rt_leaderboard (US)

Detailed Summary

"Thirsty" is the latest narrative feature from Emily Abt, an "ambidextrous filmmaker" recognized by Variety as one of their "Top 10 Directors to Watch," with a background spanning both fiction and documentary filmmaking. Her previous works, such as "Toe to Toe" (Sundance Film Festival nominee) and documentaries like "Daddy Don't Go," often explore delicate social issues with skill and diplomacy. "Thirsty" continues this tradition, winning the Athena Award for scripts featuring outstanding female protagonists.

The film's premise is rooted in contemporary American politics, focusing on a high-stakes local election in Oakland, California. The protagonist is a tenacious public defender (played by Jamie Neumann) who decides to challenge the incumbent mayor. Driven by her rough upbringing and a strong sense of justice, she is willing to endure the relentless demands of campaign life to achieve her goal.

"Thirsty" delves into the complexities of her journey as election day approaches. The narrative explores the "seduction of the political game" and the moral dilemmas she faces. She must constantly reconcile her deeply held moral compass with the pragmatic, often ethically ambiguous, realities of campaigning, fundraising, and public perception. A significant thread of the film also involves her struggle to keep her family intact amidst the all-consuming nature of her political ambition. The film was shot in the Bay Area during Winter 2022 and has since been in post-production, leading up to its 2025 release.

The cast features a strong ensemble, including Jamie Neumann in the lead, supported by well-known actors such as Sung Kang, Kyra Sedgwick, Tyler Lepley, Thora Birch, and Brandee Evans. Its digital release on June 6, 2025, via Gravitas Ventures, indicates a distribution strategy focused on accessibility to a broad audience via VOD platforms.

Plot Summary

• The Campaign Begins: A determined public defender (Jamie Neumann) launches an underdog campaign to unseat the current mayor of Oakland.

• Personal Motivations: Her drive is fueled by a challenging past, which also makes her vulnerable.

• Political Battle: As the election intensifies, she faces the demanding and often morally compromising aspects of campaigning.

• Ethical Dilemmas: She is forced to make difficult choices that test her integrity and challenge her personal moral compass.

• Family Impact: The immense pressure of the campaign strains her family relationships, forcing her to strive to keep her family intact.

• Climax: As election day nears, she must face the ultimate decision of how far she is willing to go for power and if she can truly win without losing herself.

Director's Vision

Emily Abt's vision for "Thirsty" is to create a timely and character-driven political drama that explores the human cost of ambition and the complex moral landscape of public service, particularly through the lens of a female protagonist.

• Timeliness and Social Relevance: Abt explicitly states the film captures "the zeitgeist of the moment when we are on the cusp of a potentially seismic shift," referencing the real-world possibility of more women in high political office (like Kamala Harris). She aims to explore the unique challenges faced by women in power.

• Moral Ambiguity: The film is designed to delve into the "seduction of the political game" and the protagonist's struggle to reconcile her ideals with the realities of gaining and holding power. It's a nuanced look at how ambition can test one's ethical boundaries.

• Feminist Perspective: Having won the Athena Award, the script focuses on an "outstanding female protagonist," portraying her strengths, vulnerabilities, and the specific pressures she faces balancing career and family in a male-dominated arena.

• Authenticity: Given Abt's background in social issue documentaries, the film likely strives for a grounded, realistic portrayal of a political campaign and the urban environment of Oakland.

• "Choices" as a Core Theme: As stated by the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival, the film is "about choices," emphasizing the protagonist's continuous navigation of difficult decisions.

Themes

"Thirsty" explores several relevant and compelling themes:

• Political Ambition and Power: The core of the film examines the drive to gain political power and the compromises required to achieve it.

• Moral Compass vs. Pragmatism: The central conflict involves the protagonist's struggle to maintain her ethical principles in a world that often demands flexibility and ruthlessness.

• Work-Life Balance for Women in Leadership: A significant theme is the protagonist's attempt to reconcile the demands of her high-stakes career with the needs of her family.

• Social Justice: As a public defender, the protagonist's background suggests a commitment to justice, and the film explores how these ideals fare in the political arena.

• The American Political Landscape: The film offers commentary on contemporary local politics, power dynamics, and the challenges of challenging the status quo.

• Resilience and Sacrifice: The protagonist's journey showcases her determination and the personal sacrifices required to pursue a political career.

Key Success Factors

"Thirsty" is positioned to appeal to audiences interested in:

• Timely and Relevant Subject Matter: Its focus on female politicians and local elections resonates with current political and social discussions.

• Strong Female Protagonist: The film features a complex, driven female lead, aligning with the Athena Award's recognition for outstanding female protagonists.

• Ensemble Cast: The presence of well-known actors like Kyra Sedgwick, Sung Kang, and Thora Birch provides significant draw.

• Director's Reputation: Emily Abt's established career in socially conscious filmmaking lends credibility and artistic merit to the project.

• Accessible Distribution: The primary digital release via Gravitas Ventures ensures broad availability to audiences.

• Awards Recognition (Script): Winning the Athena Award for its script indicates a strong narrative foundation.

Awards and Nominations (Confirmed)

• Athena Award: Won for scripts featuring outstanding female protagonists.

• Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival 2024:

  • Florida Premiere (Screened in late 2024, prior to 2025 digital release)

• Boston International Film Festival 2025:

  • Official Selection

• Big Apple Film Festival 2025:

  • NYC Premiere (Screened in May 2025)

Production Companies

• Pureland Pictures (US)

Release date on streaming

"Thirsty" was released for digital purchase and rental on Friday, June 6, 2025, through platforms distributed by Gravitas Ventures (e.g., Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, etc.).

Theatrical Release

"Thirsty" did not have a wide theatrical release. Its primary release strategy was through film festivals followed by a digital VOD launch.

• Festival Screenings:

  • Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (2024 - Florida Premiere)

  • Boston International Film Festival (April 12, 2025)

  • Big Apple Film Festival (May 2025 - NYC Premiere)

Why to recommend this movie

• Timely Political Drama: It offers a relevant look at contemporary local politics and the challenges faced by ambitious women.

• Strong Female Lead: Features a complex and determined female protagonist navigating ethical dilemmas.

• Ensemble Cast: Benefits from a solid supporting cast including Kyra Sedgwick, Sung Kang, and Thora Birch.

• Socially Conscious Filmmaking: Emily Abt's reputation for addressing social issues lends depth to the narrative.

• Accessible Release: Immediately available for digital rental/purchase, making it easy to watch.

Why to Watch Movie

• If you enjoy political thrillers/dramas: It offers a grounded look at a local campaign.

• To see strong female performances: Jamie Neumann's lead role and Kyra Sedgwick's supporting role are key draws.

• If you are interested in stories about moral compromise: The film directly addresses the ethical challenges of power.

• To support independent cinema: It's an example of character-driven, issue-oriented filmmaking outside of major studio productions.

• If you appreciate films with a clear social message: Emily Abt's work consistently explores important societal themes.

What Movie Trend film is following

"Thirsty" fits into the trend of "Socially Conscious / Issue-Driven Dramas," particularly those focusing on contemporary American political and social landscapes.

• Definition of the Trend: This trend involves films that use a dramatic narrative to explore or comment on pressing social, political, or ethical issues. They often aim to provoke thought, challenge perspectives, and bring attention to real-world concerns. They can be found in both independent and mainstream cinema, but often thrive in the independent sphere, allowing for more nuanced or critical perspectives.

• How "Thirsty" Fits:

  • Political Commentary: Directly addresses the challenges and moral compromises in a local mayoral campaign.

  • Female Empowerment/Leadership: Focuses on a tenacious female protagonist, aligning with the increasing push for diverse representation in leadership roles.

  • Ethical Dilemmas: Explores the conflict between personal morality and political ambition, a common theme in issue-driven dramas.

  • Director's Background: Emily Abt's history of directing social issue documentaries and narrative films reinforces this alignment.

What Big Social Trend is following

The film directly engages with the big social trend of "Women in Leadership and the Scrutiny of Female Ambition."

• Definition of the Trend: This reflects a growing societal conversation about the increasing presence of women in positions of power, coupled with the unique challenges, biases, and intense scrutiny they face. It often highlights the pressure to balance professional ambition with personal life, the double standards applied to female leaders, and the psychological toll of operating in historically male-dominated spheres.

• How "Thirsty" Connects:

  • Female Mayoral Candidate: The central premise directly embodies a woman seeking high political office.

  • "Thickest Glass Ceiling at Home": The director's statement, "The thickest glass ceiling is always the one at home," directly links the film to the personal struggles of female leaders balancing public and private demands.

  • Moral Compromises: The film explores how the protagonist's moral compass is tested, a common narrative thread when examining the integrity of powerful women.

  • Timeliness with Kamala Harris: The director explicitly mentions the film's relevance to the potential for a female U.S. President, showing its direct engagement with this ongoing social shift and the public's fascination with women in high-stakes politics.

Final Conclusions

"Thirsty" by Emily Abt is a relevant and compelling drama that positions itself squarely within contemporary American political discourse. Featuring a strong lead performance by Jamie Neumann and a notable supporting cast, the film delves into the moral complexities faced by a tenacious public defender as she pursues a mayoral bid in Oakland. Emily Abt's experienced direction skillfully navigates the fine line between personal ambition and ethical compromise, providing a timely and thought-provoking look at what it takes for a woman to succeed in the demanding world of politics while striving to maintain her integrity and family life. Released digitally on June 6, 2025, after a successful festival run, "Thirsty" is a significant independent film that offers a grounded and relatable exploration of power, sacrifice, and the enduring quest for a moral compass in a "thirsty" political landscape.