Step Back, Doors Closing

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1:38

Step Back, Doors Closing

Feb 2026

1h 38m

Romance

Comedy

Drama

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100%

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12 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

After a chance encounter on the DC metro, Ryan and Julisa spend the next twenty-four hours discussing their hopes, dreams, and fears. Slowly but surely, they reveal more and more about themselves, and fall in love.

Debopriyaa Dutta

High on Films

Feb 20

2.5/5

For all the sweetness and charm [the film] exudes, it isn’t interested in tackling real emotional depth beyond a few conversations that feel intriguing enough.

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Tim Brennan

About Boulder

04/21/2025

If there’s one thing that Step Back, Doors Closing reminds us it’s the idea that our strongest connections can come out of nowhere. It’s a smart, sweet, perceptive indie film that deserves to be seen.

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Jim Schembri

jimschembri.com

03/06/2025

2.5/5

A pleasant ramble about the buds of young love. But a ramble it is, no doubt accounting for too many moments where too little happens...one aspect where Carter Ward scores 10/10 is the work he elicits from his young leads. No signs of first-takeitis here.

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Q.V. Hough

Vague Visages

03/04/2025

"'Step Back, Doors Closing' is essential viewing for Gen Z movie lovers, Washington D.C. natives and anyone who remains entranced by Linklater's 'Before Sunrise.'"

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Jonita Davis

The Black Cape (Medium)

02/25/2025

If there were a genre for Step Back, Doors Closing, a new film from writer/director Carter Ward, it would be the same genre as the Meg Ryan and Diane Keaton romance comedies of the late 80s and 90s.

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

01/25/2025

3.5/4.0

From its opening moments, I'm pretty certain that you're going to enjoy writer/director Carter Ward's feature debut Step Back, Doors Closing.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Mar 18

Funny in 1 hour and 38 minutes. All ages admitted.

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John H

@OldRoad Feb 21

Loved the characters, very authentic. Love that it shows off DC.

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Carter Ward

Director

Carmen Berkeley

Julisa

Reilly Walters

Ryan

Michelle Macedo

Sierra

Ashley Romans

Kesang

Mershad Torabi

Mohammed

Step Back, Doors Closing: Movie Clip - Is That the White House?

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Step Back, Doors Closing: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

After a chance encounter on the DC metro, Ryan and Julisa spend the next twenty-four hours discussing their hopes, dreams, and fears. Slowly but surely, they reveal more and more about themselves, and fall in love.

Director: Carter Ward
Producer: Jane Hollon, Kathryn Crabtree, Carter Ward
Screenwriter: Carter Ward
Distributor: Freestyle Digital Media
Production Co: Arden Pictures
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 13, 2026, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 17, 2026
Runtime: 1h 38m
Sound Mix: Dolby