Next to Him

by Jessica Moss

Next to Him examines the relationships between three people: Ash and Peter, tenth grade students at a private boys’ school in Toronto, and therapist Eva, Ash’s mother. Peter needs help: anyone can see that. He’s aggressive, manipulative, angry; but he’s also a talented actor, funny…special. Both Ash and Eva are drawn to help him in different ways, against their better judgment: Eva secretly becomes Peter’s...

Next to Him examines the relationships between three people: Ash and Peter, tenth grade students at a private boys’ school in Toronto, and therapist Eva, Ash’s mother. Peter needs help: anyone can see that. He’s aggressive, manipulative, angry; but he’s also a talented actor, funny…special. Both Ash and Eva are drawn to help him in different ways, against their better judgment: Eva secretly becomes Peter’s therapist, while Ash plays a strange and addictive torture game with him in the school locker room. As Peter’s intimacy with both of them grows, the mother and son find themselves moving farther apart from each other. And while they wanted to help, their actions might be dangerous, might be hurtful, to everyone involved. What's help, anyway? And what does it mean to special?

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Next to Him

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: Next to Him by Jessica Moss
    “

    A powerful and thought provoking look at the desire to help and the relationships that evolve from it. Well done.

    A powerful and thought provoking look at the desire to help and the relationships that evolve from it. Well done.

    ”
  • Jennifer Walton: Next to Him by Jessica Moss
    “

    Oof. Such a complex dynamic between the three characters, masterfully constructed. What helps and what hurts? I found myself shouting "no no no!!!!" at one point. Incredibly powerful work.

    Oof. Such a complex dynamic between the three characters, masterfully constructed. What helps and what hurts? I found myself shouting "no no no!!!!" at one point. Incredibly powerful work.

    ”
  • Nick Malakhow: Next to Him by Jessica Moss
    “

    An unsettling and effective drama/thriller of sorts with some darkly comedic threads woven throughout. In the character of Peter, Moss has created a dynamic nucleus around which Ash and Eva orbit. As is the case in real life, Eva and Ash learn much about themselves, one another, and their relationship through the ways they interact with (and see the other one interact with) the troubled Peter. Moss also captures a unique sense of theatricality that blurs the line between the "theatrical" and "cinematic" in a delightful way. Couldn't put it down and read it straight through!

    An unsettling and effective drama/thriller of sorts with some darkly comedic threads woven throughout. In the character of Peter, Moss has created a dynamic nucleus around which Ash and Eva orbit. As is the case in real life, Eva and Ash learn much about themselves, one another, and their relationship through the ways they interact with (and see the other one interact with) the troubled Peter. Moss also captures a unique sense of theatricality that blurs the line between the "theatrical" and "cinematic" in a delightful way. Couldn't put it down and read it straight through!

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Development History

  • Reading, safeword theatre, 2015
  • Workshop, Queens' University/Herman Voaden Contest, 2014
  • Reading, Newvember Festival, 2014
  • Reading, Glasswater Theatre, 2013