We meet Bert on what seems like a routine commute home after work. He speaks no dialogue, yet we connect deeply with him—his mind is clearly consumed by a longing for love. In the bland, repetitive moments of subway escalators and train cars, he pauses to observe other couples sharing affection, highlighting his own isolation.
Bert feels average and deeply relatable: like many of us, he wonders why love eludes him. To ease the ache—or fuel hope—he relies on a dating app on his phone.
Plot Summary: The 97% Match Alert and Desperate Search
Seated on the subway, Bert receives an alert: a 97% love match is nearby—explaining the film’s title. This notification ignites quiet desperation. He scans women in the car, comparing them to the app’s vague description, trying to stay composed amid the commute.
As the app tracks proximity (showing the match getting closer or farther), Bert’s urgency builds. He stares at strangers, contemplates possibilities, and faces awkward moments—like chasing a woman after a train transfer, only to realize she was looking at the man behind him.
Undeterred by embarrassment, Bert persists. He even jumps a turnstile and nearly gets hit by a car in pursuit. When he realizes his mistake, the hurt is palpable—echoing those universal cringes when we misread a wave or smile meant for someone else.
Themes of Technology, Missed Opportunities, and Real-Life Love
The app restores hope Bert lacked just minutes earlier, but it also blinds him. After losing connection briefly, he sits near a beautiful woman clearly interested in him. A real spark flickers—perhaps the start of something genuine—but as soon as the signal returns, Bert dives back into the app and abandons the moment.
He leaps off the train to chase the digital match, stepping into potential chaos. The film builds to a bittersweet twist: looking back at the departing train, Bert sees the woman he ignored through the window. His app then alerts him that the “97% match” is fading away—revealing she was right in front of him all along.
Sympathy for Bert fades here: he quickly moves on, forgetting the pain as the app serves up the next match. This isn’t a feel-good romance; it’s a sharp reality check on how we prioritize screens over the people physically present.
Why “97%” Short Film Resonates as a Modern Cautionary Tale
Ben Brand’s second short film masterfully builds connection with Bert in just minutes—more effectively than many feature-length movies—thanks to strong direction, Bert Hana’s expressive performance (the Dutch actor brings silent depth), clever screenplay, and thoughtful composition.
It delivers hope for love while reminding us that what’s right in front of us often matters more than any algorithm’s percentage. In an age of endless swiping, “97%” asks: Are we missing real connections while chasing digital perfection?
“97%” short film is available to watch on Vimeo (search for Ben Brand’s page or the title directly).