‘The Fix’ Review | Supermodel Gets Her Freak on in Sci-Fi Horror

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As a movie reviewer who has seen his fair share of sci-fi movies, I must say that “The Fix” is a unique blend of science fiction and contemporary societal issues that leaves you pondering long after the credits roll. Kudos to director Katherine Egan for her ambitious vision and the dedicated team that brought it to life.

“Dystopia” means a place or situation that’s terrible and oppressive, but it seems like this description is becoming more and more like our everyday life.

In a future plagued by polluted air necessitating masks, reminiscent of 2020, there’s an urgent quest for a remedy or means of survival. Enter Ella, daughter of a model who tragically took her own life. After discovering the infidelity and mischief of her partner, Tully (Tafara Nyatsanza), who maintains a covert relationship with Ella’s closest friend, Gina (Robyn Rossouw), Ella unwittingly consumes what she believes to be a recreational drug. This sets the stage for the movie, as it grapples somewhat with the heavy emotional baggage placed upon Ella before delving into the main narrative.

Ella undergoes transformations following the consumption of the drug, gaining extraordinary abilities that intrigue its creators as well as those seeking remedies. A pharmaceutical executive with aspirations of being a hero (Danial Sharman) disregards caution in his pursuit to produce a global savior, but it turns out that Ella serves as the cure herself.

Where High Concept and Low Budget Do Battle

The Fix” takes on a great deal, impressively so given its independent and financially modest nature. It offers hints of films like The Fifth Element and The Fly. The film navigates the delicate balance between genres and ideas that don’t always blend smoothly, but manages to achieve its goal of crafting a future that feels surprisingly contemporary while preserving a consistent sense of tension.

Kelsey Egan, a filmmaker with a wide range of experience spanning from stunt work to being a first assistant director, has worked on numerous types of productions. With such a diverse background, when she decided to apply her skills in South Africa, she was confident that she had the right team to bring all aspects together successfully.

Nobody believed in her. The concept for The Fix, and the script, had been in place since 2013 (long before so much in the story happened in real life). The funding had even been mostly in place a few times along the road, only to encounter obstacles that kept Egan from putting her long-held vision on the screen. With the success of Glasshouse, Egan finally had the backing to get The Fix off the ground, and she would hold absolutely nothing back.

Creatively Realized World-Building That Reflects Our Time

As a movie enthusiast, let me tell you, Egan and her dedicated crew have proven that a modest budget isn’t a hindrance to creativity. The world they’ve built, from its futuristic technology to the landscape, feels reminiscent of classic sci-fi. It doesn’t rely on showing every detail to make you believe it’s set in the future; instead, it skillfully suggests it with subtle cues that leave you captivated.

The tale benefits significantly from the fact that the scenarios and universe created by Egan aren’t entirely implausible. The best science fiction often resonates with our own experiences, reflecting the challenges we confront today. This connection can prompt us to ponder our current situation and struggles; this is what powerful storytelling and science fiction are designed for. Without hesitation, Egan embraces this quality.

The Fix goes all out in creating intricate scene compositions, advanced visual effects, and examinations of contemporary cultural and socio-economic predicaments we face. However, it seems that the final product doesn’t quite meet the expectations set by its grand vision and admirable objectives.

Powerful Themes and Harsh Truths

In a unique narrative, “The Fix” tackles complex issues such as social classes, nepotism, environmental pollution, healthcare inequality, and unhealthy attachments to technology. The challenge lies in seamlessly blending these heavy themes into a cinematic masterpiece that will resonate with viewers. However, the central character of Ella and her individual strife is questionable in its ability to maintain audience engagement throughout the storyline, leaving one to wonder if it will effectively deliver the intended message.

Regrettably, she takes on most of the emotional load in the story, leaving other characters appearing flat or using tired dialogues at times. This could make it hard for viewers to empathize as much as the movie requires. However, the action sequences, special effects, and set designs are all well executed.

Beyond any doubt, the narrative in this work is deeply rooted in reality rather than mere fantasy. In many aspects, it deviates significantly from traditional science-fiction, and surprisingly, its predictions align with our current times, given that it was produced during Obama’s second term and the dawn of smartwatches. Masking regulations might have seemed unrealistic at the time. Performance-wise, Grace Van Dien delivers effectively, but the sci-fi concept of a second-generation supermodel as the central focus may not be quite as captivating as intended.

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2024-11-17 17:02