Kot

Mixed feelings. On the one hand— it’s great to see how a 4chan/Reddit meme and story evolved into a fully-fledged narrative. It’s a strong concept that taps into deep human fears— very much in the best traditions of creepypasta. On the other hand— it’s an incredibly incoherent story that borrows heavily from many already familiar ideas. From a screenwriting and storytelling perspective— it’s a complete failure, because the audience is left hanging without receiving any clear answers. That’s unforgivable for a film; for a YouTube video— it would be perfectly fine. It’s obvious that this movie was heavily influenced by the Cube series, Portal, and several other works built around similar themes of movies/games involving the subconscious and dreams. As a visual spectacle— it was interesting. But not as a story I’d ever want to revisit.

I really enjoyed this adaptation. The casting is spot on, and the visuals do a fantastic job of bringing the era to life. Not every episode of the Odyssey makes it into the film, but that never gets in the way of the overall narrative. I also loved the portrayal of Ancient Greece as a setting— colorful, at times brutal, at times decadently opulent. That’s a huge plus in my book. I had an absolute blast— it was exhilarating, dynamic, theatrical, and, at times, genuinely funny (shout out to Hermes!)— I’ll definitely be revisiting it.

Konchalovsky: H&M Nolan: Balenciaga