Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
Additionally, some images and text may include affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission or receive products if you make a purchase.
“High Voltage” Film Details
- Director(s): Hannah Whisenant
- Writer(s): Hannah Whisenant
- Runtime: 10 Minutes
- Public Release Date (Film Festival – NewFest 2026 [More Coverage Of The 2026 Film Festival]): October 17, 2026
- Genre(s): Romance, Young Adult, LGBT+
- Content Rating: Not Rated
Movie Summary
Maya is hanging out with Eliza, her friend Ryan, and Ryan’s friend Cody near the beach. If it were up to Maya, she wouldn’t be spending so much time with Cody, but instead with Eliza. But as she realizes she may not have to beat the boys to get the girl, just outlast them, that is when the fun begins.
Cast and Characters
Maya (Joyitha Mandal)
- Character Summary: Maya is a little introverted, slightly nerdy, but has enough social skills to hang.
Eliza (Joelle Schwedland)
- Character Summary: Eliza is notably liked by many, but very few can get or keep her attention.
Ryan (Julien Gray)
- Character Summary: From the outside looking in, Ryan is Eliza’s boyfriend, or at least someone trying to become her boyfriend.
Cody (Elijah Fernandez)
- Character Summary: Cody is Ryan’s friend who tries to flirt with Maya by picking with her.
Review and Commentary
Highlight(s)
Learn From Them, Then Do Better [86/100]
What’s interesting about this short is watching how Maya observes, tests boundaries, and interacts. To note, no one says what their sexuality is, and everyone seems young enough that they are still exploring. So to see Maya watch what Ryan does to flirt, how Cody flirts, and how she adapts that to see what she is comfortable with feels different from what you usually see.
Maya, while initially someone who comes off timid, is actually bold. The thing is, she doesn’t know what to do with her potential for audacity and her attraction. Especially because, unlike Cody, she doesn’t want to be perceived as or act stupidly. So, her watching how Ryan is able to get Eliza comfortable enough to accept him touching her, seeing what Cody does, which makes her, Maya, feel uncomfortable, is a quick lesson in what to do and not to do.
So when Maya has a moment with Eliza, you see whether or not she peeped the boys’ game, or lack thereof. Whether she can put her own spin on what she learned, and bring something to the conversation that is authentically Maya. That way, it’s not just about Eliza opening up to being touched by her, but also willing to speak on the things that make her feel odd, embarrassed, and vulnerable in ways that maybe Ryan doesn’t.
Overall
Our Rating (86/100): Positive (Worth Seeing) – Recommended
What I love about this short is watching Maya learn about attraction through her peers. Rarely do you get a protagonist like Maya who presents the idea that you are just as capable as anyone else. You don’t have to be a wallflower, watching other people try, and sometimes fail, and solely take notes. Instead, what Maya and High Voltage ultimately do is call its viewers to action and present the idea, “You have the tools, the experience, you’ve seen what works – GO FOR IT!”
What To Check Out Next
Check out our movies page! There you’ll find our latest movie reviews and recommendations.
No posts
Images used for editorial and commentary purposes. All rights remain with their respective copyright holders.
