eXistenZ
In the near future, game designers use “bio-ports” that have been surgically inserted into our spines – which ‘umbi-cords’ are plugged into one end, and the other ‘game pods’ to give the player ultra realistic game play.
Game designer Allegra Geller finds herself the target of a group of radicals who detest these games, and goes on the run with Ted Pikul as her protector, to keep her newest game eXistenZ safe.
Direction
This was my first David Cronenberg film that I have reviewed, and while I respect his craft – they are not my favoured themes.
His ‘body horror’ and trademarks including penetration are displayed throughout.
Cast/Characters
Jennifer Jason Leigh is sound as Allegra Gellar. I didn’t really get much emotion from her performance, I’m not sure if this was directors notes or the way she approached the character.
Lude Law also was… just okay as Pikus. He too felt like he was holding back. He has done better performances in other films. His ‘American accent’ is a little on the nose, but I will discuss further in a moment.
Willem Dafoe gets a few scenes in the middle of the film and gets to do his Willem Dafoe thing.
Fellow Brits Ian Holm and Christopher Eccleston also use ridiculous accents throughout their scenes. Both too, are ‘okay’ – but I’ve seen them in significantly better roles in other films, or television shows.
Screenplay/Setting/Themes
The film unfortunately came out just after a similar themed film (where characters ‘plug into’ another reality – The Matrix. Where that film excelled, this film faltered a little.
Gellar doesn’t really seem to be written to be overly likable – she is somewhat of a bully to Pikus, and I never really empathised with her or found her to be a ‘protagonist’ to support.
The very final moments of the film felt like a cop out. Not by just retconning the entire film, but even the accents non American actors have been performing with throughout the entire film (Law, Holm, Eccleston).
The narrative just felt too convenient – and gave the ‘it was all a dream” – or was it?
Overall
Okay Sci/Fi/Horror film, with sound performances.
Some of the mythology/history are muddled in the middle, especially when the introduction of the multiple game developers v the multiple radical groups/double agents/double crosses occur throughout the very brief 97m runtime.
3/5
If you’re able to, please “buy me a coffee”