In her latest film If You See Something, Jess Jacobs steps into a rare triple-threat role — lead actor, co-writer, and producer — crafting a deeply emotional story about love, immigration, and identity in modern America. In an exclusive conversation with Pop Culture Unplugged, Jacobs opened up about the creative journey behind the film, its real-world inspirations, and the relentless passion that got it made.
The movie follows Katie (played by Jacobs) as she falls into a deeply connected relationship with Ali, a man whose immigration status makes every decision — and every risk — feel life-altering. Jess shared how much care went into authentically representing both sides of that emotional equation.
A Story Rooted in Real Experience
The film is partly inspired by director Oday Rasheed’s lived reality as a political asylum seeker in the U.S.
“It came across my desk in 2016… I fell in love immediately,” she told us, describing how she connected with the project’s emotional core.
Jacobs emphasized that both perspectives — the immigrant and the American — needed equal weight:
“I got to bring the questions that I, as an American woman, am asking… from a real human point of view.”
Rewriting Until “Action!”
Development on the script continued long after filming began, especially when COVID shut down production for two weeks:
“I rewrote all of Katie and Ali’s scenes… changing constantly.”
That constant evolution allowed her to tailor emotional nuance to each actor’s unique energy.
Wearing Three Hats — And Loving It
Jacobs admits she rarely had to juggle all three roles at once — actor, writer, producer — because the team trusted each other so deeply:
“Everything was so top-notch for such a small-budget project… It felt like filmmaking in its most intimate way.”
She says collaborating with powerhouse talent both in front of and behind the camera made the experience richer than she ever expected.
Building Katie: A Highly Specific Woman
Katie isn’t written as a universal symbol — she’s grounded in detailed personal choices:
“I was really interested in creating a very highly specific woman… She’s committed, ambitious… but also knows where to push and where to pull back.”
And through that specificity, audiences find truth.
What Jess Hopes Viewers Take Away
The film avoids preachiness — instead inviting empathy:
“I want audiences to find multiple characters with whom they identify… even with the father.”
It’s a reminder that in life — and in stories — the “antagonist” may just be someone protecting what they love.
Where to Watch
Jacobs confirmed the film’s rollout strategy:
“It will run in theaters… then available on VOD on Amazon and Apple… and streaming on Watermelon Plus shortly after.”
What’s Next for Jess Jacobs
She continues to push boundaries with new projects:
“I’ve got a script… based on a friend’s memoir… and an adaptation of a documentary coming soon.”
It’s clear she is only just getting started.
Final Thoughts
If You See Something isn’t just a film — it's the product of real love, real loss, and real collaboration. It challenges audiences to look past headlines and lean into the humanity behind one of today’s most charged topics.
Jess Jacobs has delivered a performance — and a film — that lingers long after the credits roll.
🎬 Watch our full interview with Jess Jacobs on Pop Culture Unplugged w/ Elias