The 2025 true crime drama Finding Nicole should make you rage against the machine. This one will make you angry at a system that continues to allow this to happen. Domestic abuse is not a joke, or harmless, or to shoved under the rug. Director/co-writer Harley Wallen, who works with survivor Nicole Beverly, it is her book, wants you to feel. *The third writer credited for this film is Geoffrey D. Calhoun.*
Feel what you may ask. Feel angry, ashamed, horrified and disappointed. All these emotions should run through your mind while watching this recounting of Nicole’s battle.
Films are made about domestic abuse, some good and some not so much. More will be made. However, Finding Nicole stands out as a example of what the abused must go through to get out.
Alive.
Finding Nicole the Story
Nicole Beverly fights to free herself and her children from a monster; her husband, and soon to be ex-husband. This brave woman fights her abuser, and a system that allows him to continue a reign of terror.
The Finding Nicole Cast
Kaiti Wallen is Nicole Beverly.
Mari G. is Warren Beverly.
Debra Lamb is Susan.
Sean Whalen is Cameron Banks.
Shawntay Dalon is Shonda Wright, Esq.
Michael James Alexander is Baz.
Pierre S. Aristide is Bobby.
Marcus Woods is Officer Griffin.
Harley Wallen is Officer Jones.
Let’s Talk
Finding Nicole works brilliantly. Director Wallen takes everyone through their paces and tells the story. Kaiti Wallen rings the changes in her portrayal of Ms Beverly. She is, at turns, frustrated, angry, terrified, and defiant. Mari G plays the part of Warren almost too well. It is hard to warm to his character, even though he can exude charm from every pore. The swift about face to homicidal monster is scary.
The film switches from the past to present almost seamlessly. Sure, we have the “cue cards” or subtitles giving us the time period, but we don’t really need them. The violence is appalling, as is the rape scene. *This is not an “in your face” sexual attack, but it is a difficult watch. It is violent and disturbing*
The dramatizing of Finding Nicole, works. Not just because of the subject matter and the restrained way that it was filmed. The cast bring their game faces to the table here. Everyone shows a truth that makes us, the audience believe that this is the retelling of a true story.
*Kudos by the way to Sean Whalen for making the defense lawyer even more repulsive than the accused abuser.*
“Based on a True Story”
I can honestly say that this is one of the best “based on a true story” dramatizations I’ve seen. The filmmakers follow a finite line here. They show that the protection system for abuse victims in Michigan is broken. They show a different path from what Nicole went through, but the lack of due diligence is there.
The Verdict
Finding Nicole is a disturbing film to watch, but it tells an important tale of terror and then survival. I give it a full 5 stars for effectiveness. It is available to rent on Prime right now.
*This is a film that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Especially if you do not know Nicole’s story, so have your big boy/girl pants on for this one.*
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