Chelsea Devantez Shares Insights on Bringing Social Media to Life in Her Directorial Debut at SXSW
Title: New Comedy Explores Modern Relationships in the Age of Social Media
Narrative Spotlight has introduced its latest project, BASIC, directed and written by Chelsea Devantez, which premiered on March 16, 2026. The film dives into the complexities of romance and jealousy through the lens of social media.
The plot follows Gloria as she navigates the aftermath of her breakup with Nick. In an attempt to understand his dating history, she delves into the details of his ex-girlfriends found online. However, her discovery of Kaylinn, who embodies the quintessential “basic” ex-girlfriend, leads Gloria into a spiral of self-doubt and narrative uncertainty. This comedy combines elements of magical realism with the emotional intricacies of love.
During the panel discussion, Devantez shared her thoughts on the portrayal of social media in contemporary storytelling. “Social media has taken over our lives, but it feels so cringe to even say that,” she remarked. “Yet, I’m sure someone in this room is going to get a report today that’s like, ‘You spent 12 hours on your phone.’ It’s taken over our lives, but I haven’t seen it expressed in film and TV the way it actually feels." She emphasized the importance of translating the nuances of social media into visual storytelling, stating, “I tried very hard to create a new way to show social media on screen… It is about our age-old emotions like jealousy and love and relationships, and phones are a way those messages happen.”
BASIC not only addresses the pervasive influence of social media but also aims to capture the timeless challenges of love and connection, highlighting how technology intertwines with our most fundamental emotions. Panelists for the project included Taylor John-Smith, Ashley Park, Leighton Meester, and Chelsea Devantez.
