In Anu Valia’s quietly observant indie drama We Strangers, Kirby Howell-Baptiste steps into a role defined by subtlety. She embodies a woman who works for a commercial cleaning company in Northwest Indiana, her life unfolding in the margins of other people’s stories. Within that quiet space, the film uncovers something profound: a portrait of labor, identity, and belonging, told with patience and empathy that resonates deeply.
Beneath the surface, the film reveals a rich inner world filled with resilience, dignity, and longing. It’s a story about class, identity, and what it means to truly see and be seen in a world that often looks past you. This film is that film, fam.
For both Howell-Baptiste and Valia, We Strangers became an act of empathy and transformation. Together, they’ve built a narrative that honors the emotional lives of working-class women, exploring how our environments shape who we become. It’s Black girl magic meeting indie film realness!
For Kirby, bringing her character to life meant more than memorizing lines; it meant embodying her humanity. In an interview with BlkCosmo Blerds, she candidly expresses what that meant to her during filming:
“I think the thing I wanted to add to her that wasn’t on the page was just an element of… it’s almost like, when you create something like this, it’s like you draw the model,” she explains. “That’s what Anu had done. And then someone comes in like a magician and brings it to life. I wanted to be that person, the one who brings it from 2D to 3D.” Talk about leveling up!
Kirby’s artistry has always been rooted in authenticity, as fans of her work as Death in Netflix’s Sandman know she loves to push boundaries. Her approach here was no different. She didn’t rely on formulas or acting tricks. Instead, she drew from her own lived experiences, immersing herself in the world of her character. She showed up and showed out!
“I don’t know that I could say I did X, Y, Z,” she reflects. “A lot of it came from the experiences I’ve had. I worked with a woman named Roberta who owned a commercial cleaning company. I spent a long time in Gary, Indiana. I steeped myself in that world.”
For writer-director Anu Valia, We Strangers is more than a film; it’s a reflection of her own journey. Growing up as an Indian American in Northwest Indiana, she learned to move between spaces, adapting to the shifting expectations around her. It’s a familiar story for many of us who’ve navigated multiple cultures.
“Growing up as an Indian American kid in Northwest Indiana, that’s where the film takes place, just outside Chicago. I feel like I became very good at being a chameleon, at changing who I was in different situations,” she shares. “And I wasn’t even aware of it. I wasn’t smart enough to think I was doing that.”
Together, Kirby Howell-Baptiste and Anu Valia transform We Strangers into a meditation on identity, labor, and belonging. Their collaboration reminds us that there’s power in the stories of people who work hard, dream quietly, and move through the world unseen. For audiences who crave depth, nuance, and representation, We Strangers is a reminder that every life holds meaning and every story deserves to be told. We see you, sis!
We Strangers is currently available on video on demand.
Jamie Broadnax is the creator of the online publication and multimedia space for Black women called BlkCosmo Blerds. Jamie has appeared on MSNBC’s The Melissa Harris-Perry Show and The Grio’s Top 100. Her Twitter personality has been recognized by Shonda Rhimes as one of her favorites to follow. She is a member of the Critics Choice Association and executive producer of the BlkCosmo Blerds Podcast.
