Written and directed by; Blake Rice
Starring; Michael Gandolfini, Olivia Nikkanen
It’s September 1998. Whilst rehearsing asking out the girl of his dreams, Nicholaus Steep, a lonely and highly allergic Circuit-Shack employee gets stung in the throat by a hornet. As his anaphylactic symptoms threaten to get deadly it’s up to Tierney, the object of his affections, to save his life. ‘Tea’ has qualified to be nominated in the best live action short category of the 2025 Oscars.
Feelgood comedic, and uplifting are the key elements of this delightful short in which a shy introvert’s inability to find his voice proves nearly fatal. Blake Rice’s story opens with our introverted hero Nicholaus, recording his numerous attempts to approach and ask out Tierney, the girl of his dreams. It’s not clear what he intended to do with the recordings, possibly play them back to see which was the best version. Here, Rice captures that terrifying moment everyone has been through; trying to utter 6 little words to potentially change your life course – ‘Will you go out with me?’
Nicholaus’ endless rehearsals encapsulate that nervousness many have felt, even to this day. His awkward shyness and bumbling signifying the very brave intention sets the butterflies fluttering in one’s stomach. Empathy soon kicks in as Rice takes you on the uncertain journey to simply connect with someone. Michael Gandolfini delivers a touching performance conveying the tenderness and bravery of Nicholaus’ nerve wracking mission. Rice then pulls a clever switch midway mixing tense horror with a touch of comedy.

There’s nothing more fear inducing than meeting the person from your dreams before you’re ready. In Nicholaus’ case it’s unintended and a little scary as he has to find his voice or it will be literally the death of him. Dying from an anaphylactic reaction is no laughing matter but Rice succeeds here by turning Nicholaus’ cry for help into an unintentional game of charades. Mixing Tierney’s desperate attempts to save Nicholaus with other characters throwing random guesses makes for an amusing play.
The comic timing and delivery of Gandolfini and Olivia Nikkanen as Tierney, are spot on. The mix of subtle slapstick with the increasingly urgent back and forth leaves one entertaining on tenterhooks. By contrast the film’s music by Jordan Caiola adds an introspective almost haunting quality narrating in parts the unfolding events. Ultimately though Rice doesn’t lose sight of the main plot. At its core is the irony of someone plucking up the courage to speak to a true love and finding their voice in a life or death situation.
‘Tea’ is a simple tale of a relatable rite of passage to overcome nervousness for a life changing event. Led by the performances of Michael Gandolfini and Olivia Nikkanen it’s a dramatic and comedic ride packed into under 15 minutes. ‘Tea’ embodies the very essence of feelgood and leaves one feeling like they are on an empathetic and satisfying journey.