The Way Things Used 2 B (USA, 2025) – Short Film

A spoiled college dropout, a strict sister and a country club job collide in a short comedy that is a love letter to early-2000s romantic comedies.

Romantic comedies from the late 1990s and early 2000s have a special place in many hearts. They offered bright colors, catchy soundtracks, clever friends and the promise that the right person might be hiding in plain sight. The Way Things Used 2 B, a short film written and directed by Kurstin Moser and Ciara Naughton, takes that spirit and condenses it into about seventeen minutes of nostalgic fun.

Set in the Y2K Era

The film takes place squarely in the Y2K era, and it does not hide it. A Clueless poster hangs on a wall, PlayStation 2 references appear along the way and the music is full of songs that evoke the period. The costumes, the slang and the attitude all help create a world that will feel familiar to anyone who grew up then.

What makes the approach work is that it feels affectionate rather than mocking. The filmmakers clearly enjoy the era, and they use its trappings to support the story rather than turning them into jokes at the characters’ expense.

The Story

The main character is Jenny, played by Jackie Romankow. Jenny is a college dropout without a job, and her greatest talent seems to be spending her parents’ money. Her sister Lizzie, played by Meredith Brown, has had enough. She gives Jenny an ultimatum: find a job and start acting like an adult.

Jenny’s search lands her at a local country club. There she discovers that her new boss is Darren, played by Lee Keinan, a former classmate she never liked. Suddenly she has to work for someone she used to dismiss, and the situation gives the film its comic engine. Flashbacks to prom night fill in the history between the two.

Small Shifts, Familiar Feelings

The story is less about grand romantic gestures than about gradual changes in perspective. Jenny’s idea of adulthood is hilariously warped, and her clumsy attempts to function in the real world provide much of the humor. As she gets to know Darren, she begins to see that the person she wrote off may have more to offer than she assumed.

The film lets this relationship develop naturally instead of rushing to the usual beats. Viewers will probably guess where the story is going, but the journey is pleasant. Familiarity is part of the point, since people watch romantic comedies for the comfort of a satisfying ending.

The Cast

Jackie Romankow carries the short with ease. She plays Jenny as materialistic and self-absorbed but gives her enough vulnerability to keep her likable. The balance is delicate, and it keeps the character from becoming a caricature.

Meredith Brown is a scene-stealer as Lizzie, delivering sarcastic lines with sharp timing and serving as both comic relief and a voice of reason. Lee Keinan plays Darren with an understated warmth that contrasts nicely with Jenny’s chaos. Together, the three actors give the film a strong center.

Look and Sound

The film keeps its visuals simple. Cinematographer Adam Coe favors natural light and soft framing, and the story sticks to a small number of locations. This clean approach suits a short with limited resources, though some viewers may feel that it has the polish of a student production and lacks visual risk.

The sound is a highlight. Mat Mruz handles the sound design and mix, and the dialogue is crisp while the music is well balanced. The soundtrack uses songs that suggest the period, adding personality and emotional warmth.

Comfort Cinema in Miniature

The screenplay does not try to reinvent the romantic comedy. Instead, it embraces the tropes that fans love: mismatched pairs, misunderstandings, redemption and the sweet idea that people can grow. It is comfort cinema in miniature, built on the belief that feelings change and that the person you least expect may end up meaning the most.

That approach will not appeal to everyone. Viewers looking for surprises or edgy humor may find it too gentle. But for audiences who enjoy sincere, character-driven comedy, it delivers.

A Proof of Concept

One of the most interesting aspects of the film is how easily it could grow. Moser and Naughton show a strong sense of pacing, tone and emotional payoff, and the premise could support a longer feature. It is easy to imagine an expanded version in the spirit of 10 Things I Hate About You or a modern take on other beloved teen comedies.

Short films often serve as calling cards for emerging filmmakers, and this one makes a good case for its creators.

Why Nostalgia Works

Nostalgia is powerful because it connects us with a time when things felt simpler. The early 2000s, with their flip phones, pop songs and glossy romantic comedies, hold that appeal for many viewers. By building a story in that world, the filmmakers invite audiences to enjoy a sense of comfort while still telling a story about growing up.

Final Thoughts

The Way Things Used 2 B is a sweet, sincere and easy-to-like short comedy. It knows exactly what it is, commits to its style and gives its three leads room to shine. For fans of old-school romantic comedies, seventeen minutes in this Y2K world should go down easily.

Writers and directors: Kurstin Moser and Ciara Naughton. Cast: Jackie Romankow, Meredith Brown, Lee Keinan. Cinematography: Adam Coe. Sound: Mat Mruz.