OtherLife

Combines the usual cognitivist assumption that the brain is a computer with the less usual notion that "memory is a chemical", so as to introduce a thematics of addiction. Despite this somewhat promising combination, the presentation is highly generic, the writing is weak and the casting unconvincing. A couple of mildly interesting narrative moves, but ultimately just a slight variation on an all-too-fashionable theme, lacking inspiration and seeming too much like a calling card for Hollywood.

eXistenZ for the 21st century. All good and well, I suppose, even if you see the twists coming a mile away, but I do kind of miss the days when every sci-fi movie didn't have to be a Sensitive Indie Drama About Family as well. Where's the FUN?

Plays itself as grounded and realistic, but then so much of it is not grounded (eg cartoonish bad guy, the interaction with the government officials), this juxtaposition really took me out of it about half way through. If they had played it one way or the other it would've been better. Was only ok at most.

I'm a sucker for even decent sci-fi. Good concept plus average acting plus below average execution equals a ho-hum recommendation.

Entertainment: 3. Spirit: 1. Sustainability: 0.5. Family: 1

reminds Black Mirror. scifi, technology, things went wrong, some sadness... but not entertaining enough..

I love how it went all along. Obviously there are some Inception and Total Recall vibes but they kept it original and mysterious. They could've chosen the surprise-surprise card but I love the way it is which made this cooler. Some science stuff was wrong but that's okay.

Not much to call home about. Mediocre acting, mediocre direction, mediocre script. A few decent shots and that is it. Not much to offer on this latest instalment of the 'Black Mirror episode turned into a movie' saga.

1.6.18(++++ogksh)kalelaihaus. 1000th movie.

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worth a watch

Too long, wasted plot.

Despite its aesthetic appeal, OtherLife is let down by its choppy editing, lacklustre characters and shoddy writing. There is a theme of overcoming loss/ accepting death but it's poorly executed. The protagonist is unsympathetic and the sci-fi elements were either not thought through properly or were discarded for unnecessary drama. This is a film caught between indie clichés and sci-fi ones, and doesn't deliver an entertaining mix.

The latest potato in the Black Mirror wheelbarrow, OtherLife isn't (by any means) a bad film...it's just another attempt to cash in on the 'near future technology' boom that has descended on the entertainment industry like smog in an uncanny valley. And while the idea is fine, and the technology somewhat sound, it feels like the filmmakers got lost in their own story without securing an exit plan beforehand. This ultimately leads to a mess so hot even a bomb cyclone can't cool it.

It's a fun movie to watch but too many resemblances to Black Mirror episodes "White Christmas" and "San Junipero".