Must-See Movie Review Opens World Diabetes Day: “Quarter” Starring Kelsey Bascom – An Honest Look At Type I (Autoimmune) Diabetes Treatment In 2026 With Life Disruptions On Overdrive

Editor’s note: One of the year’s most important films, describing the backlash against women’s rights, which also ties into the backlash against minority rights, is Miss Representation.  Social media has not been a benefit to this society, especially since the companies have terms of service – but no procedure or even acknowledgment for when they are violated.  No trust and safety teams or any other protections exist when someone is harassed on these platforms, which as a result might be better avoided.  

Quarter is an excellent film that tells the story of Kelly, a young woman with Type I diabetes.  Unlike Type II, which is the dietary and lifestyle related disease, most people know nothing about Type I. They don’t know that a person can die from low blood sugar.  They may even know someone with the disease and never be informed.  People who have this condition would describe it as high maintenance. Every time to eat, check the blood sugar, inject insulin.  Pay attention for signs of low blood sugar, such as grogginess, poor balance, lack of proprioception (bumping into things), and unclear thinking.  A diabetic can go into a coma and not recover if their blood sugar gets too low and they collapse.  If someone or themselves notices, they can have their apple juice or orange juice box and fifteen minutes later they’re OK.

Imagine someone with that condition trying to go on a date.  Oh and did I mention that stress brings on this low blood sugar condition in most cases?  So there you are, waiting for the date, and then digging in the purse to find the juice box, sitting on the sidewalk disoriented waiting for it to kick in. Trying to explain that to someone? They get bored halfway through and don’t want to talk to you again.

As someone whose relative had this condition, this film was very revelatory.  Something that was difficult to understand was ‘treatment fatigue.’ This is where the diabetic just doesn’t want to deal with the condition anymore.  They try to pretend they don’t have it and can be normal like everyone else.  Then their blood sugar crashes and reality hits.  But it’s a real issue.  But today it’s much easier to manage than in the past.

Back in the 70s, being diagnosed with this was really a challenging situation.  No pin pricks on finger tips, just urine test strips. And no implants at all.  Kelly had a monitoring implant which would go off like a fire alarm if her blood sugar dropped.  She could also have an insulin pump implanted now, so pin pricks and injections are automatic.  Then she’d only have to be concerned about low blood sugar.

Her experiences being a young woman in this society, with a very sexually liberated mother and father, are very interesting. Who hasn’t had their parent say something sexual that makes you cringe? Well, hers does it constantly.

Raven Simone plays her diabetes specialist doctor (endocrinologist)  and Brooke Shields is her gynecologist.  Who can’t figure out why someone who has no sexual activity is always getting urinary tract infections (another issue common in diabetics).  The roles are all convincingly played and the film never slows down.  It’s fast-paced and informative.  Anyone who knows someone with this condition will appreciate the honest representation it’s given in this movie.

Overall, I would rate it five stars and highly recommend it:

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Kelsey Bascom – Kelly Uber scene

She sees herself often as a victim in a Zombie Apocalypse who is sacrificed by the healthier people in the group to be bait for the zombies.

A Film by Arnon Manor and Kelsey Bascom

Starring Kelsey Bascom, Ali Wentworth, Brooke Shields, Raven-Symoné and Executive Produced by Brooke Shields

Releasing Theatrically Beginning This Week!

Opening November 13 in NY at Cinema Village

Timed to World Diabetes Day on November 14th with LA the following week at Laemmle Santa Monica with more to come!

Quarter movie poster. Image Credit – Falco Ink

“Most narrative films or TV shows that incorporate Type 1 diabetes either misinterpret or overdramatize it, and we want this film to feel real… a normal person with an abnormal autoimmune disease. It’s all very personal.” 

— Writer, Co-Director & Star Kelsey Bascom

Directed by: Arnon Manor & Kelsey Bascom 

Written by: Kelsey Bascom

Based on her own experiences as a young woman living with Type 1 diabetes

Produced by: Arnon Manor 

Executive Produced by: Brooke Shields

Starring:

Kelsey Bascom (“Mondays”)

Ali Wentworth (“Nightcap,” Jerry Maguire)

Raven-Symoné (“That’s So Raven”)

Breckin Meyer (Clueless, Garfield)

Brooke Shields (Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields)

Nick Creegan (“Law & Order: Organized Crime”)

Tati Gabrielle (“You”, Uncharted)

Brec Bassinger (“Stargirl”, Final Destination)

Eric Roberts (Runaway Train, Babylon)

Matty Cardarople (“Stranger Things”)

Mindy Sterling (Austin Powers)

Dot-Marie Jones (“Glee”, Bros)

Derek Theler (“Baby Daddy”)

Arden Myrin (“Righteous Gemstones”)

Gavin Lewis (“Shrinking”)

Quarter is a coming-of-age comedy-drama about Kelly, a young woman living with type 1 diabetes who, in the days leading up to her 25th birthday, navigates the highs and lows of her blood sugar and her personal life.

Kelsey Bascom – Kelly parents scene

Kelsey Bascom – Kelly dancing in office

Kelly low blood sugar episode

Fantasy date with her crush.

Derek Theler – co-diabetes sufferer she meets in the Coffee Shop

Dot Marie Jones the Boss

Brooke Shields – Gynecologist office. Image Credit – Falco Ink

Banner Image: Kelsey Bascom – Kelly with parents. Image Credit – Falco Ink