A Feature Film · Based on a True Story
A powerful drama exploring grief, mental illness, and the enduring impact of loss.
The Story
Sarah, a former model, must navigate the unbearable grief of losing her beloved older brother Ben to suicide. As she struggles to understand his pain, she embarks on a journey that forces her family to confront long-buried truths — and finally reach a moment of healing.
The film opens on a gripping image: Ben, a brilliant and funny man in his mid-forties, at the edge of an unthinkable decision. From there, present-day scenes and tender flashbacks reveal the deep, loving bond between Ben and his sister Sarah — from an idyllic childhood on the beaches of South Carolina into the complexities of adulthood. Ben is her protector, her confidant, her biggest cheerleader.
Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Ben thrives with the support of his compassionate father and the right care. He earns a law degree, builds a career, and finds love. But after the death of his father and a series of setbacks, his stability begins to unravel. His mother, Enid, desperate to protect him, keeps his condition a secret — and the stigma deepens.
In a devastating turn, Ben takes his own life, leaving Sarah in pieces. Surviving Ben follows her journey through denial, guilt, and overwhelming sorrow — and, in time, toward acceptance, purpose, and the resolve to make sure his story helps someone else.
What the film explores
The emotional toll of suicide and the long journey toward peace.
The complexities of bipolar disorder and the struggle for acceptance.
How love and misunderstanding shape the way a family copes.
Sarah's path as she carries Ben's memory while rebuilding her life.
Who we follow
A former model and fiercely loyal sister who must learn to live with unimaginable loss.
Brilliant and deeply sensitive, Ben finds success but loses his grip after tragedy.
Loving yet in denial, she refuses to accept Ben's condition until it is too late.
A kind, compassionate father and Ben's greatest support. His death is the turning point.
Rich, moody color palettes reflecting the characters' inner worlds.
Close-up shots that capture vulnerable performances and quiet truths.
Charleston's haunting beauty enhances the story's emotional layers.
An honest lens that portrays mental illness and grief with sincerity and depth.
Producer's Statement
Since my brother died by suicide in 2021, I have become an advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention. He was my only sibling and my best friend. His death changed me forever.
When someone takes their own life, it does not just end their pain — it shatters the lives of those who love them. The guilt, the what-ifs, the grief; they can be overwhelming.
Through this film, I hope to honour my brother and share a message that might save someone else. Not just an individual, but an entire family.
Mental illness is too often misunderstood or ignored. Surviving Ben offers a deeply personal look at the ripple effects of mental illness — not just the individual struggle, but how that struggle shapes the family left behind.
As Sarah says in the film: "It's not their fault, it's not shameful, and it's not a sin to admit it."
This is more than a film. It is a way to start a conversation, open hearts, and remind anyone who is struggling that help exists. With Charleston's evocative scenery and a moody, atmospheric aesthetic, the film carries real awards potential — and, more importantly, the power to make people feel less alone.
Beyond the Screen
Beth Goodman tells the story in her own words — the bond, the loss, and the search for understanding that inspired the film. Available now as an ebook.
Get the Book on AmazonThe Charleston Mercury profiles Beth’s path from personal tragedy to filmmaking, her plan to shoot the story in Charleston, and her hope of ending the stigma around mental illness.
Read the ArticleThe people behind it
Ben's sister and the heart of this film. A former Ford model with a career across modeling, broadcasting, and acting, she now drives Surviving Ben from Los Angeles.
A produced screenwriter and playwright whose works have been performed worldwide. Surviving Ben is a story close to her own life and loss.
Co-writer bringing structure and craft to a deeply personal true story.
Decades of performance depth, from Scorsese's Mean Streets to Revenge of the Nerds and Lizzie McGuire, now guiding this film's vision.
The Production
For audiences who connect with emotionally honest dramas in the spirit of Manchester by the Sea, A Beautiful Mind, and The Tree of Life.
Join Us
By supporting Surviving Ben, you are not just funding a film — you are joining a movement for mental-health awareness, honouring Ben's memory, and helping a story reach the people who need it most.
You are not alone
If you or someone you love is struggling, help is available. In the U.S., call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, any time, day or night. Outside the U.S., your local crisis line can help.