Given the weird staying power of The Endless, I wanted to see something else by these guys. A couple years later, plus a “known” actor in the lead, and another kinda bizarre time-related story. A little more drama to start it out but the oddities kick in a bit stronger in a bit. Like, well, a drug. Even a synthetic one.
Two paramedics working the scenes of New Orleans. Always fucked up scenes, because, well, New Orleans. But then a new level of peculiarities are witnessed on their calls, and it seems like this new designer drug is somehow involved. Steve (Anthony Mackie) finds himself looking a little more into it, while his good pal Dennis (Jamie Dornan) works through his own familial problems. There’s a lot of problems here that need to be worked through. It’s kinda distracting, honestly, when it doesn’t involve some crazy death or mysterious artifact. It gets there eventually, though.
This has a cool From Beyond/Altered States kinda vibe going on. Is it a weak and lamer version of those? Yeah. There’s a pretty depressing demeanor for most of the movie, with a lot of the same beats as The Endless in many ways; strong ‘brotherly’ relationship, Angst and Misunderstoodness that creates conflict, shite relationships, a plinking piano score. The story overall is okay. A lot of drama though. And for dealing with time, not much for intrigue. If nothing else, it doesn’t totally suck as it plays out.
