ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, THE

(director/writer: Erik Bork; cinematographer: Cole Pisano; editor: Bryan Colvin; music: Alexander Taylor; cast: Alyssa Limperis (Leah), Sean Kleier (Vincent), Dominic Burgess (Martin), Sandra Ellis Lafferty (Nancy), Jack De Sena (Ansel, Leah’s ex-boyfriend); Runtime: 91; MPAA Rating: NR; producer: Erik Bork; Funclub Unlimited; 2026)

“Cleverly made political film.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Erik Bork is the first-time feature film writer and director of this low-budget, comical, and cleverly made political film. It’s a MAGA inspired rom/com about political polarization, that’s set in the aftermath of the 2020 election in Los Angeles during a time of the pandemic. It’s about a bright, young single liberal woman who tries to find a Mr. Right, who isn’t a right-winger.
 
The single, social media influencer, extroverted, working-girl Leah (Alyssa Limperis) shares an apartment with her introverted grad student work-out partner, the socially awkward, sassy and gay Marty (Dominic Burgess).

During the Christmas holiday season, she falls for the handsome Vincent (Sean Kleier), the line cook at a local restaurant, who because of a mix-up in the order personally delivers it to her apartment. After falling for him, she has second thoughts when it turns out he’s a Trump voter and intends to go to the WH rally with his right-wing grandmother (Sandra Ellis Lafferty) to support Trump’s election protest rally on January 6th.

The topical indie offers no dating advice, but the actors have a good chemistry together and the story is believable for the divisive time we’re in.

REVIEWED ON 2/27/2026  GRADE: B
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