Hope: In the Aftermath of War (2025)

After returning from combat, a soldier’s struggle with trauma, addiction, and fractured family ties forces her daughter to confront the quiet war unfolding at home—one that neither of them signed up for but both must survive.

Hope: In the Aftermath of War (2025) poster

Hope is an intimate portrait of a military family fractured by the invisible wounds of war. At its heart is Catherine, a decorated soldier and mother who returns from deployment profoundly changed—emotionally withdrawn, plagued by guilt, and struggling with addiction. Her daughter, Hope, once protected by her mother's strength, becomes a witness to her unraveling, forced to mature too quickly amid the chaos of relocation, strained family bonds, and a lack of institutional support. As Catherine battles to reintegrate, her marriage collapses, and the military’s absence of post-deployment care deepens her isolation. Her husband leaves, her daughter grows distant, and Catherine is left with the crushing realization that service came at a cost no one prepared her for.

Director: Daniel L. Bernardi
Genre: War, Documentary
Runtime: 13 min
Release Date:

Cast

Screenplay

Cinematography: Andrés Gallegos
Editing: Joshua Cardenas
Production: Veteran Documentary Corps, El Dorado Films
Language: English
Budget: $50,000
Original Language: en

Themes

War Veterans and Reintegration

Keywords

post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd), us army, afghanistan war (2001-2021), addiction recovery, military family, war, veterans, cultural support team

Trailer

Hope: In the Aftermath of War Trailer

Similar Movies

More Films by Director: Daniel L. Bernardi
More Films in Genre: War, Documentary

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hope: In the Aftermath of War about?
Hope is an intimate portrait of a military family fractured by the invisible wounds of war. At its heart is Catherine, a decorated soldier and mother who returns from deployment profoundly changed—emotionally withdrawn, plagued by guilt, and struggling with addiction. Her daughter, Hope, once protected by her mother's strength, becomes a witness to her unraveling, forced to mature too quickly amid the chaos of relocation, strained family bonds, and a lack of institutional support. As Catherine battles to reintegrate, her marriage collapses, and the military’s absence of post-deployment care deepens her isolation. Her husband leaves, her daughter grows distant, and Catherine is left with the crushing realization that service came at a cost no one prepared her for.
Who directed Hope: In the Aftermath of War?
Hope: In the Aftermath of War was directed by Daniel L. Bernardi.
Who stars in Hope: In the Aftermath of War?
Hope: In the Aftermath of War stars Catherine Harris, Taryn Hope Harris, Will Harris.
How long is Hope: In the Aftermath of War?
Hope: In the Aftermath of War has a runtime of 13m (13 minutes).
What genre is Hope: In the Aftermath of War?
Hope: In the Aftermath of War is a War, Documentary film.
What is the budget of Hope: In the Aftermath of War?
Hope: In the Aftermath of War had a budget of $50,000.
What are the themes of Hope: In the Aftermath of War?
The themes of Hope: In the Aftermath of War include: War Veterans and Reintegration.