Written, directed, and produced by Mengxi Yu, also known as Cecilia Yu, this short film delves into the intense psychological landscape of modern adolescence. The narrative centers on the titular character, a teenage girl who outwardly appears to be the "perfect" student but internally struggles to maintain her composure amidst overwhelming pressure. The audience follows Jess as she navigates a web of high-stakes conflicts involving her parents, friends, and boyfriend, illustrating how the relentless demand to meet the expectations of others can lead to a fracturing of self. As the cracks in her façade widen, the film explores mature and heavy themes, including the deterioration of mental health and the dangerous allure of self-harm as a coping mechanism.

The film has garnered significant acclaim on the youth festival circuit, most notably winning first place in the High School Film Competition at the 2024 Washington DC Independent Film Festival (DCIFF). It was also selected for screening at the Indie Short Film Festival in Charlottesville and the LA Sun Film Fest. Produced while Yu was a student at St. Anne's-Belfield School, the project features a supporting cast that includes Bei Zhu and Gage Qi. Jess is praised for its raw and semi-biographical approach, offering a poignant critique of the "pressure cooker" environment many young students face today.