Jean Elie Tackles Postpartum Depression from a Dad’s POV in ‘Another Happy Day’

Jean Elie is getting a crash course in parenting. 

The Insecure alum stars as new dad Lucien opposite Lauren Lapkus (Joanna) in Another Happy Day, a postpartum depression comedy. 

With the Nora Fiffer-directed film now officially available for streaming, Elie spoke exclusively to PEOPLE about what he’s learned about fatherhood, and how the women on set inspired him to work more efficiently.

“I don’t really know too much about postpartum, and what it’s like,” Elie tells PEOPLE of his knowledge of the mental health condition prior to being cast as Lucien. 

According to Mayo Clinic, symptoms that can affect new mothers after childbirth can range from mild to severe, with the latter including difficulty bonding with your baby, withdrawing from family and friends, and/or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.

Elie tells PEOPLE that although the film is a comedy, it taught him patience. 

“It also taught me that, as a man, you could feel lonely in the relationship too, even though you guys planned on doing this together. You could feel like you’re in it by yourself trying to raise a child with someone who doesn’t really know how to or doesn’t feel seen by their own kid,” he says. 

“You guys symbiotically need each other and all I can do is try to do as much as I possibly can to either make her life easier or to be of assistance,” he adds. 

The official synopsis describes Joanna as “a total nut” who is “desperate for some company” after giving birth.

“She’s also an artist and new mom. But she’s not making any art and she’s terrible at taking care of her newborn. Worse, her husband Lucien fancies himself to be a mothering expert,” the synopsis adds.

Lapkus, 39, tells PEOPLE that she “instantly loved Nora’s script.” 

“Postpartum depression is nuanced and so easily missed. I’m grateful to be a part of this special film that will hopefully spark more discussions about this very common yet underrepresented experience,” the Jurassic World actress says.

In a statement on Another Happy Day’s website, Fiffer highlights the importance of time while trying to maintain a career or sense of identity outside of motherhood. 

For Elie, working with Fiffer afforded him the rare opportunity to see an eight-hour day while filming.  

“I just finished a movie, minimum 12 hour days,” he says. “So to walk onto a set to be like, ‘We’re going to get these shots done and we’re going to finish in eight hours so you can go home and have dinner with your family.’ You get to relax a little bit after work — Nora was so good at time management.”

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“She came in knowing what she wanted,” Elie tells PEOPLE, which inspired him as an independent filmmaker. “She had her roadmap for it, and because she had that thought process, it’s what allowed us to get out of work at eight hours every day.”

Fiffer tells PEOPLE, “I was so lucky to work with this incredible cast. The connection that Lauren and Jean found as a couple entering parenthood was astonishing. One of the most talked about scenes in the film is their intense one-word fight scene. Their performances are so deep and honest, it’s arresting. In this film they make you laugh, but they also crack your heart open.”

Another Happy Day is now streaming on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.