The Date

In The Date, Jakob, an aspiring screenwriter, navigates the challenges of anxiety and forming new connections. Set against the backdrop of his everyday life, Jakob struggles with the isolation of his own thoughts and habits. After meeting Lauren at a mall, the two form a connection that leads to a first date at a P.F Changs. Their conversation reveals Lauren's own difficult past, as she shares the burdens of supporting her family following her parents' divorce. As they spend more time together, Jakob invites Lauren back to his apartment, a space that serves as his sanctuary. However, as the evening unfolds, Jakob suffers a panic attack, revealing his struggle with anxiety. While Lauren tries to understand and offer support, the moment becomes tense when she questions the source of Jakob's anxiety, given his seemingly privileged life. Jakob, feeling invalidated, reveals the trauma of losing his father at a young age, a revelation that shifts the dynamic between them.