Abigail, portrayed by Christina Ricci, finds herself a single mother of two and unexpectedly pregnant following a brief encounter with Ben, played by Hamish Linklater. She’s presented as sensible and grounded, while he exhibits traits reminiscent of Peter Pan, often speaking without considering the consequences—even suggesting she consider an abortion ("no one is going to want someone your age with three children"). Despite his reaction, Abigail has another intimate encounter with Ben that same night after informing him of her pregnancy; it’s possible she felt this was as far as things would go. The following morning, Ben expresses a desire not only to keep the baby but also to pursue a relationship with Abigail and her existing children—though this appears more like an impulsive decision than a carefully considered one. Approaching forty, he seems to believe settling down is what he desires, or perhaps what's expected of him. Simultaneously, Ben sends conflicting signals, seemingly setting the stage for his eventual departure. They become entangled in a pattern where Abigail lets her defenses down, only to be disappointed by him; he then returns, and she forgives him and welcomes him back into her life. Ricci delivers a performance as strong and impactful as it was when she began acting three decades ago, and *10TWSDBWBU* is a welcome addition to her diverse filmography. However, Linklater’s performance truly stands out; his portrayal is so understated that you may not fully appreciate the complexities at play while watching—it's only in reflecting on it now that I recognize the subtleties of his work. Ben could potentially be interpreted as a sociopath (and one character seems to suggest this), using his boyish charm and carefree attitude to gain favor with Abigail and her family. His immaturity serves as an excuse for his mistakes, while he subtly uses Abigail’s pregnancy—particularly the timeframe surrounding the abortion decision—as a constant pressure tactic to manipulate her. Writer/director Galt Niederhoffer doesn't intend for the audience to form a definitive opinion of Ben; he provides just enough ambiguity to allow viewers to draw their own conclusions (although Linklater demonstrates his ability to amplify the intensity, as seen in the Amazon Prime series *Tell Me Your Secrets*—another example of his skill at building tension). Ultimately, *10TWSDBWBU* offers a realistic depiction of what happens after "happily ever after," and that alone makes it worth seeing.

Source on TMDB