Given current events, there’s no denying that the discussion around abortion rights can be a bit tense. That being said, this tension isn’t new. It’s been in debate for decades, which is why there aren’t many films that handle the topic. As such, Citizen Ruth is a rare film. It’s a rare film that possibly got released not because it makes the case for one or the other– but rather because the lead doesn’t even make a definite decision as to whether or not to push through with it. It’s a brilliant narrative choice as it drives home the way the discussion surrounding abortion has become so loud, both sides have actively interfered in what supposedly is a personal decision to make. The titular citizen might not be the perfect person, but Citizen Ruth perfectly satirizes how heavy that decision has become, and in many ways, how heavy that decision still remains to be.