They say that the act of falling in love is like a dance between two people. What if this was more than just a figure of speech? Something Casual takes a literal translation of the concept, weaving stunning choreography from JA Collective into a tender connection between two people. Anchoring the story are Nico Greetham and Piper Curda, a duo whose chemistry transcends the bounds of their sensuous dance through life. Maybe at first believing Greetham as someone who cannot dance may seem a little difficult; his layered character almost makes us forget that the fluid movements and impressive physique are products of a dance career, not to mention a tenure on season 10 of FOX’s So You Think You Can Dance. A deeply romantic indie infused with the DNA of dance, Something Casual emphasizes the messiness of love and all its complications.
Told through movement as much as dialogue, we follow Alex (Greetham) a sketchbook-toting artist, and Frankie (Curda), a magnetic dancer. Their connection starts as a flirtation—she doesn’t believe in love, and he has a stagnant relationship with another girl—but their bodies tell a different story. The opening credits begin their destined surreal dance. Each time they touch, there are crackles and swirls. While their actual interactions have a tender realism, their fantastical interpretive dances are the lone fairy tale element breaking to the surface. Greetham and Curda are both quite good in their respective roles. They certainly make sense as a couple, opening up about past traumas and leaning on one another whenever possible. Their flirtation quickly develops into a beautiful bond.
The first time Alex sees Frankie in person when searching for a subject to sketch, he immediately gets swept up into the imaginary dance in his head. By the end of their exchange, he has complimented Frankie, then slipped her his cell number just for good measure. Why the two are drawn together initially is in inexplicable and unexplainable—two perfect ingredients for love. We play with surrealism from the start: interpretive dance, movement-driven transitions, and a troupe of dancers who often appear to embody the couple’s emotions in real time. Their sex scenes are charged but genuine, contrasting the empty encounters both had before their clandestine meet-cute.
With two opposing points of view about the concept of love, Alex and Frankie often react irrationally towards one another. Real relationships are messy. If Frankie’s big argument about change on a molecular level is to be believed, nobody can ever really love us if we keep drastically changing over years or even months. As in any good romance, we have to be rooting for the two central characters to get together in the end. Alex and Frankie are certainly flawed, yet each separately fantasize about a dance that tightens their bond. Even between bouts of ghosting, perhaps the two are still meant to be?
Gorgeous cinematography allows vibrant display of the dance choreography pumping through the veins of Something Casual. For an indie production, there is an especially passionate message just underneath the surface. Exploring self-doubt and young love leads to surprising truths and emotional performances. Heavy on atmosphere and supercharged by the romance at its core, Something Casual calls for a serious commitment to its charms.
Something Casual had its world premiere at 2025’s Dances With Films Festival.
is there nudity in this film?