On July 14, 2025, my social media feeds went into intense mourning, as Andrea Gibson had passed away. Gibson was a celebrated spoken-word artist and was appointed Poet Laureate of Colorado in 2023. Though I am a part of the spoken word community, I never had the opportunity to meet Andrea. After watching the documentary Come See Me in the Good Light, I feel as though I have lost a close friend. The film is a poignant examination of Gibson’s battle with terminal ovarian cancer.

The documentary, which starts in 2023 while Andrea is deep in the midst of their fight, is about so much more than just their diagnosis. Gibson discusses growing up in a small town, their gender identity, discovering spoken word after a breakup, competing in poetry slams, developing their career, and meeting their wife, Megan Falley. The documentary also touches on Megan’s journey through Andrea’s diagnosis and treatments while completing a memoir.

Director Ryan White took an unflinching view of Gibson’s rollercoaster of emotions as their health showed some improvement, then fell from whatever small heights they had achieved. White’s editing beautifully tells the story of how, after not performing for several years, Gibson desires to do one last show. During this time, Gibson was receiving a treatment with a side effect of loss of voice—a devastating possibility for someone whose career is built on words and being able to speak with emotion, someone who is trusting it to return for a final show.

The film premiered and won the Festival Favorite Award at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2025. It has been screened and won awards in the United States and Canada.

When I received the screener from Allied Global Marketing, I wanted to host a watch party with my spoken-word artist friends who knew or had seen Gibson perform. I’m glad I didn’t, as I’m not sure I would have had enough tissues for all of us. While typing this review and rewatching the trailer, I am brought to tears all over again.

Come See Me in the Good Light is currently in theaters on a limited release and available on Apple TV. I cannot recommend it enough.

10.0 (friends who slam will understand)