TIFF ‘25 Review: ‘Nika & Madison’ rescues a friendship through trauma

When a person with authority interacts with another person, there is always a power imbalance. That inequity is not an issue if the superior doesn’t abuse their position. Respect can mutually exist even if one person has power over another. However, some people see that disparity as a license to treat people with less power as lesser human beings. By this reasoning, hurting them is inconsequential because they matter less and no one will care. Nika & Madison is the fictional portrayal of a common abuse of power between cops and women who live on reservations.

Nika (Ellyn Jade) and Madison (Star Slade) were best friends their entire lives. Then Madison left for university in Toronto and Nika stayed on the reservation. These diverging paths create a rift and the pair stop speaking as frequently. Now, Madison is coming home and everyone wonders if they’ll repair their friendship. Unfortunately, their reunion occurs under duress.

After a bar fight, a police officer offers Madison an escort home. Hearing about the incident, Nika follows Madison using a phone tracking app to make sure she’s safe. Instead, she interrupts the cop attacking Madison. From that moment on, the girls’ bond is reaffirmed and they vow to follow each other into the fire.

Growing up alongside similarly aged relatives is an experience many people share. They’re the sibling your parents never had. Then, as you grow older, you may drift apart. But that doesn’t mean you don’t still have each other’s backs. Nika and Madison are those relatable cousins. Even though they chose different paths, they can still anticipate each other’s behaviour. When one of them is in trouble, they stick together no matter the consequences.

Nika does what anyone would in a similar situation — she stops the assault. Most viewers will immediately gravitate to her defense. But they’ll also know that because a cop was involved, the case will not be cut and dry. There’s evidence that works in their favour, but their lawyer must prepare them for an uphill battle. She doesn’t beat around the bush. She shares the statistics that show a disproportionate number of Indigenous people are in prison, which means the odds are against them.

It’s frustrating that the woman detective (Amanda Brugel) is the only one outside the reservation willing to consider the injured officer may have left the young women no other choice. Her male partner (Shawn Doyle) exhibits the stereotypical hostility of a true-blue cop, dismissing any suspicion of the arresting officer and treating the reservation authorities like second-class citizens. It’s offensive in its authenticity.

The film depicts just one of the ways Indigenous reservations and their residents still regularly face mistreatment. There are some outsiders who care, like Detective Timmins, and others who see an easy target, like Madison’s attacker. It’s subtly implied, but it should be infuriating that these rides-turned-assaults are so prevalent that Nika knows to check on Madison after her arrest.

The film’s narrative is an extension of director Eva Thomas’ short film, Redlights. It explored a disdainful practice known as “Starlight Tours,” in which Canadian law enforcement kidnapped, abused and abandoned Indigenous people in remote locations.  

This is not the best foundation for a feel-good story, but the women reconnect over their traumatic experience and grow closer than ever before. The incident gives them an opportunity to show each other their worlds. Nika takes Madison into the bush where they live off the land and Madison drags Nika into the city where they spend a night on the town.

Yet, in spite of the rekindled friendship, there’s a prevalent feeling of fear throughout the narrative. Nika and Madison stick together, but they’re always on the run. They understand the system is weighted against them. The film relies heavily on the rhetorical question, “What would you do in their situation?” To that end, it’s difficult for audiences to fault their choices.

Jade and Slade ground the film in a familiar reality, drawing audiences into their characters’ regrettably relevant story.

Nika & Madison had its world premiere in the Discovery programme at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Read other reviews from the festival.

Director: Eva Thomas
Starring: Ellyn Jade, Star Slade and Amanda Brugel