‘Family Squares’ Exclusive Trailer: Emotional Zoom Comedy Stars Ann Dowd, Judy Greer, Margo Martindale & More

Over the past couple of years, we’ve seen filmmakers utilize Zoom and telecommunication to help tell stories when in COVID lockdown. Not only is filmmaker Stephanie Laing’s “Family Squares” another entry in the unique, COVID sub-genre of Zoom films, but she has used the “limitation” to enhance the emotion and frame the storytelling in a way that feels strangely organic.

With “Family Squares” arriving in theaters later this month, we’re happy to give our readers an exclusive peek at the new trailer for the emotional comedy. The film tells the story of a dysfunctional family who has to come together and try to set aside their differences for a common good. However, with the pandemic in full effect, the family has to do all of this through technology. 

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“This was not a simulation of a lockdown, we were actually locked down. It was September 2020. We had 22 cameras, tons of color-coordinated cables, microphones, and laptops spread over 8 cities and 2 countries,” said director Laing about the unique filmmaking technique used. “The cast set up their own cameras, did their own sound, their own hair, makeup, and wardrobe. We did virtual scouts and FaceTime wardrobe fittings.”

She added, “Two months later, when things were safer, we did some scenes together. I’ve still never been in the same room with most of the cast, but we created our own little family and during a very trying time for the world, we did what we do best, we told a story.”

Laing was able to bring an incredible ensemble cast together to help tell this story, including folks such as Ann Dowd (“Hereditary“), Elsie Fisher (“Eighth Grade“), Judy Greer (“Archer”), Billy Magnussen (“No Time To Die“), Margo Martindale (“August: Osage County“), Sam Richardson (“Veep”), Timothy Simons (“Veep”), June Squibb (“Nebraska“), Casey Wilson (“Saturday Night Live”), Scott MacArthur (“Halloween Kills“), Zoë Chao (“Love Life”), Jessica Miesel (“The Resident”), Maclaren Laing (“Eastbound & Down”), and Henry Winkler (“Happy Days”).

The inspiration for the story apparently came from a real-life tragedy in Laing’s life involving her mother.

“I felt like I could tell the story of losing a family member over Zoom because my mother passed away on Thanksgiving Day 2019,” she explained. “We were in different cities and had to say goodbye over FaceTime.”

“Family Squares” arrives in select theaters and on VOD on February 25. You can watch the exclusive trailer below.

Here’s the synopsis:

In the film, the Worths are a family portrait of dysfunction. When Grandma Mabel (June Squibb) dies, they must set aside their differences and come together. Mayhem quickly ensues as long-buried family secrets bubble to the surface with a shocking revelation. But, as they begin to find their way back to each other, they soon realize that while you can’t choose your family, you can choose to be friends with them.