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There’s been a notable shift within the Academy Awards’ Best Documentary Feature category in the last few years, which now tends to be more focused on international and current political issues. It’s important for the branch to acknowledge the opportunity that it has to shine a spotlight on critical topics, as the Oscars don’t do themselves any favors by handing out prizes to documentaries about established celebrities.
That being said, not all of these “celebrity docs” are completely disposable, as the last few years have seen the Oscars overlooking legitimately powerful films like Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, and Will & Harper. One of the best surprises from 2026’s Oscar nominations was Come and See Me in the Good Light, a documentary about the last year in the life of the acclaimed poet Andrea Gibson. While Apple TV has a mixed track record when it comes to making their films available, Ryan White’s documentary is a powerful celebration of how art can inspire pride in one’s identity and give hope within the darkest of times. While they were fairly well-known within the more singular community of poets, Gibson’s career is fleshed out in more detail in Come See Me in the Good Light, as White takes a conscious effort to not dedicate the entire film to their illness. Although Gibson was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2021, they continued to serve as an adamant advocate for LGBTQ artists and an activist who campaigned for the “Power to the Patients" movement, which called for hospitals to be more transparent when disclosing the costs of medical procedures and stays. It’s not the only recent media that has been focused on issues within healthcare, but Come See Me in the Good Light is the rare story of how a patient worked to help others with similarly debilitating issues. ‘Come and See Me in the Good Light’ Isn’t a Typical Cancer Story Come and See Me in the Good Light is a fascinating piece of directing on White’s behalf because the documentary combines archive material of Gibson’s childhood with contemporary footage of their life in 2024. While some documentaries are composed entirely using existing material, Gibson is the first to point out that they have only fragments of their childhood to hold on to as the result of some past traumas. The use of specific footage of quintessential moments in Gibson’s life is effective in the identification of their self-actualization as an artist; it was through writing, reading, witnessing, and performing poetry that Gibson gained more confidence in their identity, and found an LGBTQ community that offered support. While it’s upsetting to see how much anguish Gibson experienced during their youth, Come See Me in the Good Light shows how these confusing times lead to the production of great art. Related One of the Best Romances of 2025 Is Apple TV’s Most-Watched Film Right Now David Freyne’s film asks existential questions whilst utilizing the comedic timing of its stars. Posts By Liam Gaughan Although there is something universally powerful about the use of the written and spoken word to show pride in oneself, Come See Me in the Good Light is affecting because of the sincerity of its love story. Actively involved within the production was Gibson’s wife, Megan Falley, who provided access to some of the couple’s most intimate moments of pain. While it may have felt uncomfortable to film moments of Gibson towards the end of their life, the fact that Falley was involved in the documentation speaks to the respectfulness of White’s approach. As emotionally grueling as the film is, Come See Me in the Good Light doesn’t only have the goal of reducing its audience to tears; instead, it speaks to the importance of preserving memories through art, and how they can span the test of time. While this applies to the poetry that Gibson wrote and how it served as their self-expression, it’s also why Come and See Me in the Good Light makes interesting stylistic choices that ensure that the film itself is a unique piece of artistry. ‘Come and See Me in the Good Light’ Is Both Devastating and Life-Affirming Come and See Me in the Good Light is successful at advocating for the truisms Gibson developed whilst she awaited the inevitable. Gibson felt that being vulnerable was important for honesty, and as a result, the film is unflinchingly authentic in showing just how dispiriting it can be to deal with a terminal illness. Although there is a part of the film that works as force of advocacy, it also serves as powerful representation for those who may be in similar situations; Gibson’s goal seems to have been to people who are struggling that their experiences are not unique, and that they may be able to find guidance from those with similar backgrounds. Even for those that can’t directly relate to what Gibson went through, Come and See Me in the Good Light is an informative experience that doesn’t look or feel like any other documentary in competition this year. There’s more than enough reason to be frustrated with the Academy Awards and the culture that surrounds them, but nominating films like Come See Me in the Good Light is important for an enriched media landscape. Even with a song by Sara Bareilles on the soundtrack, Come and See Me in the Good Light would have struggled to find as significant of an audience if it wasn’t for its nomination. While it's a film that is bound to spark emotional and existential thoughts for anyone that watches it, Come and See Me in the Good Light uses a story about death to show how precious life is. 8 10 Come See Me in the Good Light Like Follow Followed Documentary Release Date November 14, 2025 Runtime 109 minutes Director Ryan White Producers Tig Notaro, Jessica Hargrave, Ryan White, Stef Willen Cast See All
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