The Zebra & the Bear
June 28th, 2025
MOVIE: THE ZEBRA & THE BEAR
STARRING: AMBER OLSEN, WILLOW OLSEN
DIRECTED BY: PATRICK O’CONNOR
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 3 STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: PG
RUN TIME: 84 MINUTES
From the opening moments of The Zebra & the Bear, it’s clear that this documentary will be a difficult watch, not because the subject matter is intellectually complex, but because stepping into the shoes of a family fighting for their child’s life is an emotionally harrowing experience. Now imagine being that family. No documentary can fully capture such a reality, and yet director Patrick O’Connor brings us remarkably close. He places us in the room as parents receive devastating news from doctors or confront the grim possibility that critical funding may never arrive.
The Zebra & the Bear follows a mother’s unrelenting battle against a rare genetic disease afflicting her daughter, charting the emotional toll, the hard-earned progress, and the strength found in a community rallying together.
The family we meet centers on Amber Olsen—the self-described “mama bear”—and her husband, Tom Cannan. Their daughter Willow, the “zebra,” was diagnosed at age two with Multiple Sulfatase Deficiency (MSD), a rare inherited condition that prevents the body from producing essential enzymes needed to break down cellular waste. As is often the case with rare diseases, their journey is defined by constant obstacles: limited research, uphill battles for funding, and mounting medical costs.
Stylistically, The Zebra & the Bear takes a restrained, observational approach. O’Connor and his crew are embedded with Amber and her family, capturing both the routines and the ruptures—daily care for Willow, physical therapy, doctor visits, and the tears that fill the spaces in between. The film also reveals the tireless efforts Amber undertakes: organizing fundraisers, advocating for awareness, and pushing forward vital research using lab animals in the hope of finding a cure. O’Connor takes care to explain the technical aspects of the research, helping viewers understand the stakes and science behind the scenes.
Importantly, this isn’t just a parade of talking heads or sentimental montages. It’s a raw, unfiltered chronicle of resilience. We witness intimate conversations between Amber and her other daughters, the emotional fallout of her divorce from Tom, and the immense strain the disease places on every facet of family life. It’s in these moments of honesty that the film finds its deepest power.
If the film has a flaw, it’s that it can be emotionally overwhelming. Watching such an unflinching portrayal of suffering and struggle may be too much for some viewers. But avoiding that discomfort would mean missing the full weight of what this family endures—and the urgency of the cause they champion.
By the end, The Zebra & the Bear leaves an indelible impact. It’s a heartbreaking, powerful documentary that urges us to cherish what we have—and to support the fight against rare diseases like MSD. While I have little faith in the current administration’s commitment to science and medical research, Willow’s story is a potent reminder that inspiration and action can begin with one voice. And in that, she’s already changed the world.
THE ZEBRA & THE BEAR HAS HAD OVER 25 SCREENINGS WITH RARE DISEASE ADVOCACY AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS. THE IMPACT CAMPAIGN WILL RUN THROUGH 2025, WITH RELEASE ON STREAMING PLATFORMS EXPECTED IN THE FALL OF 2025. FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: https://www.thezebraandthebear.com/
3 STARS
Written by: Leo Brady
