'Paper Spiders' deftly deals with complicated mental health issues Phil on Film Director Inon Shampanier, who co-wrote the film with his wife, Natalie Shampanier, shows a calm and nuanced touch when dealing with mental health issues in "Paper Spiders." By: Phil Villarreal and last updated 2021-05-04 23:32:31-04 TUCSON, Ariz. â A college-bound high school senior, Melanie's got bigger things on her plate than graduation announcements, Senior Ditch Day, and prom. The hardest lessons in her life come from Dawn (Lili Taylor), her mother, who battles mental health issues that she refuses to acknowledge she has. "Paper Spiders" -- which opens in theaters and VOD May 7 -- takes a long, often excruciating look at the challenges of trying to help a loved one dealing with paranoia and delusions. Fueled by Taylor's showy performance and Stefania LaVie's muted angst as Melanie, the drama avoids the usual Hollywood shortcuts as it sketches its painful portrait.