Independent filmmaker Dar Dowling’s short film “By Any Means,” which she wrote and directed, is now available streaming on Relay. #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos has the scoop.
It brings a gripping story of love, loyalty, and impossible choices to audiences everywhere.
Blending crime drama with emotional tragedy, the film follows Nikki, a woman who once tried to escape the dangerous life she was born into. But when love, loyalty, and fate collide, the past she fought to leave behind begins to pull her back in.
The film previously screened at festivals including the Female Eye Film Festival and the La Femme International Film Festival, where audiences responded strongly to its mix of emotional storytelling and high-stakes tension. Now, with its streaming release, By Any Means reaches viewers ready to experience its layered and deeply personal narrative.
Audience reactions have echoed that impact. As one viewer shared, “This small piece says so much about character, secrets, and how trauma shapes us—it felt incredibly real. It played like a psychological thriller to me. I was fully there with the characters. It truly resonated.”
At the center of the story is Nikki, a lesbian mafia daughter determined to build a life beyond the world she was raised in. As she moves forward, she keeps a painful secret from the woman she loves. When that truth comes to light, it sets off a chain of events that forces her to confront the very life she once fought to escape.
When tragedy strikes, Nikki is drawn back into a world shaped by family legacy, violence, and unresolved ties—raising a central question: how far would someone go for love?
The film stars Leah Nicole Raymond as Nikki, delivering a powerful and emotionally layered performance as a woman caught between love and the violent legacy of her past. Raymond carries the heart of the film, portraying Nikki with a balance of strength, vulnerability, and quiet intensity that makes the character’s journey deeply compelling.
Stacey Raymond (“New Amsterdam”) appears as Sara, whose relationship with Nikki anchors the emotional core of the story. They are joined by El Mustafa Elbahtouri and Clint Tate, who bring added depth to the world surrounding Nikki’s past.
Behind the camera, the film reflects a close creative collaboration. Ricardo Madan served as producer, cinematographer, and editor, helping translate Dowling’s vision into a cinematic experience that feels intimate, tense, and emotionally grounded.
By Any Means also serves as a proof-of-concept for a feature-length film currently in development, expanding the story’s world while deepening its exploration of love, identity, and legacy.
For Dowling, “By Any Means” is a personal exploration of identity, love, and the weight of difficult choices. The film continues her focus on character-driven storytelling set within high-stakes environments.
“I’ve always been interested in stories where the emotional stakes are high, and the characters are forced to confront who they really are,” Dowling says. “With ‘By Any Means,’ I wanted to explore what happens when love asks something enormous of you. Nikki is someone who tried to walk away from a life she didn’t choose, but sometimes the past has a way of finding you again.”
Festival audiences praised the film for its emotional intensity and its willingness to explore the gray areas between love and loyalty. Rather than offering simple answers, By Any Means invites viewers into a story where every decision carries a cost.
“At the end of the day,” Dowling adds, “By Any Means asks something very human: when love is on the line, how far would you really go?”
“By Any Means” is now available to stream on Relay, with more information about Dowling available via her Instagram.
