Coherence (2014)
Directed by: James Ward Byrkit
Written by: Alex Manugian, James Ward Byrkit
Starring: Alex Manugian, Elizabeth Gracen, Emily Baldoni, Huge Armstrong, Lauren Maher, Lorene Scafaria, Maury Sterling, Nicholas Brendon
COHERENCE (2013)
Directed by James Ward Byrkit
Screened at Grimmfest 2014
A group of friends get together for a dinner party on the night of a rare comet passing overhead. When an electrical black out occurs in the neighbourhood, the group are surprised to discover that one house remains lit up. With no mobile phone network coverage and wanting to use a phone, a few of the party members decide to knock on the mysteriously lit house. What they find inside shocks them to the core and could change their lives forever.
If you love mind-bending thrillers, then COHERENCE will be right up your street. Paradoxes, quantum physics and Shrodinger’s Cat thought experiment are all explored here within a movie which starts as a simple, dramatic dinner party setting and whilst COHERANCE is certainly a head-scratcher, it’s not one that is impossible to follow. The variables and outcomes are revealed throughout the film rather than in one go, allowing viewers to digest as much as possible before internally shouting “WTF!”. The film is structured so brilliantly with such a complicated plot that I wonder how the writers managed such a feat, as I know I wouldn’t be able to. I’d get a headache just thinking about it! Watching the story unfold through slick writing and stellar performances is a pure pleasure, leaving the viewer with plenty to discuss with others long after the film ends.
As much as I’d like to discuss more about what COHERENCE is actually about, I won’t. Why? Because it’d be unfair to ruin it for you. Films like this are better off being seen without knowing much so you can fully appreciate the powerful, thought-provoking storyline within.
What I will divulge about the movie is the incredible ensemble cast who make this such an enjoyable and entertaining movie. The cast member which most people will recognise is Nicholas Brendan who plays Mike in COHERENCE but is widely known for his role as Xander in Buffy The Vampire Slayer. He’s joined by wife Lee (Lorene Scafaria) and couple Hugh (Hugo Armstrong) and Beth (Elizabeth Gracen), the latter of whom has a penchant for ketamine. Amir (Alex Manugian) brings Laurie (Lauren Maher) to the party as his guest, causing much agitation for her ex Kevin (Maury Sterling) and his partner Em (Emily Baldoni). The friends are all having a laugh during the evening, drinking, eating and talking about each other’s lives and what they’re currently up to, career wise. The subject soon turns to Miller’s Comet which is scheduled to pass overhead that very night. According to Em, its last occurance 100 years previously resulted in some very strange behavior and unfortunately for the dinner party guests, it looks like history is about to repeat itself.
With natural performances creating believable friendships and conversation, COHERENCE is not only a stylish sci-fi movie with substance, but one that feels frighteningly real too. A brain-melting must-see!
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