My type of movie
There are flaws of course - the ending is a bit self-indulgent and I don’t think it needed to be as explicit with James’s backstory as it was, but it still hits
Much like The Void in that it is certainly a bit flawed, but the rest of it is so me-coded that I don’t really care
Some people are probably disappointed in the ending as it doesn’t give James a clear resolution, but I’d argue that 1] it does and 2] James’s journey is not a traditional one that is capped off by a clear character decision. The Pontifex Institute created him to be a conduit for the eldritch entity, and much like in Cure, those who can resist the evil are the most powerful conduits for it. When James decides to stop taking his pill and puts on his wedding band, you see him finally embrace his past and the man he is, only for the whole thing to be turned on its head by revealing that nothing about his backstory is real. Its insanely dark but fitting imo. I interpret the ending as him embracing his “identity” as the conduit. He may resist, but he is already infected.
One of those films that I’m giving 5 stars not because it’s perfect but because it just hits so hard.
Sound design is excellent
Some fantastic shots here as well - the scene where James looks up to the sky is beautiful
Twist is insane
Super ballsy to have your title drop 23 mins into the film
Love the lovecraftian vibe
My type of movie
There are flaws of course - the ending is a bit self-indulgent and I don’t think it needed to be as explicit with James’s backstory as it was, but it still hits
Much like The Void in that it is certainly a bit flawed, but the rest of it is so me-coded that I don’t really care
Some people are probably disappointed in the ending as it doesn’t give James a clear resolution, but I’d argue that 1] it does and 2] James’s journey is not a traditional one that is capped off by a clear character decision. The Pontifex Institute created him to be a conduit for the eldritch entity, and much like in Cure, those who can resist the evil are the most powerful conduits for it. When James decides to stop taking his pill and puts on his wedding band, you see him finally embrace his past and the man he is, only for the whole thing to be turned on its head by revealing that nothing about his backstory is real. Its insanely dark but fitting imo. I interpret the ending as him embracing his “identity” as the conduit. He may resist, but he is already infected.
One of those films that I’m giving 5 stars not because it’s perfect but because it just hits so hard.
Sound design is excellent
Some fantastic shots here as well - the scene where James looks up to the sky is beautiful
Twist is insane
Super ballsy to have your title drop 23 mins into the film
Love the lovecraftian vibe
