Low-budget indie films usually disappear. They flicker for a second on a streaming service and then vanish into the digital void because they lack the "it" factor. But Matt Walting’s 2017 drama didn't do that. It stuck. Why? Honestly, it wasn't the budget. It was the cast of Just Say Goodbye. They took a script about a teenager planning his own death and made it feel like a documentary you weren't supposed to be watching.
It's heavy.
Jesse and Sarah are the heart of it. They are best friends, but they are living in two different universes. Sarah is trying to keep Jesse tethered to the earth, while Jesse is slowly unspooling. It’s a movie that lives or dies on the chemistry of its leads. If you don't believe they care about each other, the whole thing falls apart like a house of cards in a windstorm.
The Raw Talent Behind Jesse and Sarah
Katerina Eichenberger plays Sarah. She’s the anchor. You’ve probably seen her in other projects like Monarch or The Resident, but this was a foundational moment for her. Sarah isn't just a "concerned friend" trope. Eichenberger plays her with this frantic, desperate energy that anyone who has ever loved a self-destructive person will recognize immediately. It’s exhausting to watch in the best way possible. She carries the weight of the secret—Jesse’s plan to end his life—with a physical heaviness.
Then there’s Max MacKenzie. He plays Jesse.
Playing a character committed to suicide is a massive trap for young actors. Most lean into the melodrama. They cry too much. They mope. MacKenzie went the other way. He made Jesse feel hollowed out. There’s a specific kind of numbness that comes with severe depression, a sort of "quiet before the storm" vibe, and he nailed it. You can see the logic in his eyes, which is the scariest part of the film. He isn’t acting like a victim; he’s acting like someone who has already made a logical decision and is just waiting for the clock to run out.
Their scenes together are the only reason the movie works. It’s that simple.
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The Supporting Players Who Fleshed Out the Tragedy
While the leads get the spotlight, the cast of Just Say Goodbye includes some character actors who fill in the gaps of why these kids are the way they are. You have to look at the parents. They aren't villains in the cartoonish sense, but they are failed protectors.
William Caswell plays Rick, Jesse’s father. His performance is a masterclass in "avoidance." He’s a man who has clearly checked out, likely due to his own grief and alcoholism, leaving Jesse to raise himself in a vacuum. It’s a messy performance. It’s not polished. Caswell plays him with a grit that makes the house feel cold even through the screen.
Then you have the school environment.
Jesse Walters (who plays Chase) and Olivia Groves (who plays Rose) represent the external pressures that push Jesse further into his corner. The bullying scenes aren't just there for "drama." They feel like the final nudges.
What’s interesting is that the director, Matt Walting, was only 18 when he made this. He cast people who felt like they belonged in a small town. There’s no "Hollywood glow" here. Everybody looks a little tired. The lighting is harsh. The acting reflects that lack of varnish. It’s a very "New England" kind of bleakness.
Why the Performances Outshine the Budget
Let’s be real. This wasn't a multi-million dollar production. You can tell. The sound design has its moments of struggle, and the cinematography is functional rather than poetic. But the cast of Just Say Goodbye compensates for the technical limitations by being incredibly present.
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Usually, in micro-budget films, you get one good actor and four people who look like they’re reading off a teleprompter. That’s not the case here.
- Eichenberger and MacKenzie spent a significant amount of time building a rapport before filming.
- The dialogue was often tweaked to fit the actors' natural cadences.
- The lack of "star power" actually helped the immersion. You don't see "famous actor X," you just see Jesse.
There is a specific scene—no spoilers—where Sarah finally breaks down and confronts Jesse about his plan. It’s a long take. Most directors would have cut away to hide an actor's struggle, but Walting stayed on them. You see the snot, the red eyes, and the genuine shaking. That’s not stuff you can fake with a "suicide awareness" pamphlet. It’s raw.
Dealing With the Dark Subject Matter
People often wonder how a young cast handles such a depressing script. It’s a heavy lift. The movie deals with the "contagion" effect of suicide and the trauma of the "survivor" left behind.
The actors have spoken in various indie film circles about the toll of filming in such a dark headspace. For MacKenzie, it was about finding the "why." He didn't want Jesse to be a mystery. He wanted the audience to understand that, in Jesse's warped reality, he thought he was doing everyone a favor. That’s a chilling perspective to inhabit for weeks on end.
Sarah’s character represents the audience. She is us. She’s the one screaming "Don't do it!" while the person she loves is calmly walking toward the edge. Eichenberger’s performance is vital because it provides the emotional stakes. If she didn't care, we wouldn't care.
The Legacy of the Film and Its Actors
Since 2017, the cast of Just Say Goodbye has moved on to various projects, but the film remains a staple in "hidden gem" lists for indie dramas. It’s often used in discussions about mental health and cinema because it doesn't sugarcoat the ending or the process.
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Katerina Eichenberger has continued to build a solid career in television. Her ability to play "grounded but emotionally volatile" has served her well. Max MacKenzie has also stayed active, though Jesse remains one of his most intense roles.
The film proves that you don't need a massive studio to tell a story that hurts. You just need actors who are willing to get ugly.
It’s not a movie you watch for fun. It’s a movie you watch when you want to feel something deeply uncomfortable. The cast makes sure that discomfort stays with you long after the credits roll. They didn't just play parts; they inhabited a tragedy.
How to Approach the Film Today
If you are looking to watch the movie for the first time, keep a few things in mind. First, check the content warnings. It’s graphic emotionally, if not always physically. Second, pay attention to the silence. Some of the best acting in the movie happens when nobody is talking.
- Watch the eyes: Both MacKenzie and Eichenberger do more with a look than with five pages of dialogue.
- Observe the setting: The physical space of the house reflects the internal state of the characters.
- Look for the small moments: The way Sarah tries to distract Jesse with "normal" teenage stuff is where the true heartbreak lies.
The best way to support the cast of Just Say Goodbye is to seek out their more recent work on platforms like IMDb or through indie distributors. Supporting the actors who take these risks early in their careers is how we get better, more thoughtful cinema in the long run. If you're moved by the performances, look up the director's newer projects as well—seeing how a team grows from a raw debut to polished work is one of the coolest parts of being a film fan.