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★★★★★
Directed by: #JonathanWilhelmsson
Written by: #JonathanWilhelmsson
Starring: #KarenOlrichWhite, #AlexandraFrick, #JamesPeterFraser
Simulation theory is given a quirky and comedic examination in Jonathan Wilhelmsson’s Untitled Earth Sim 64, a brilliant short about how one woman reacts when she finds out that she is a glitch in the matrix.
Marie (Karen Olrich-White) becomes suspicious when she starts noticing irregularities throughout her day. Purple dogs, vanishing ice-cream, lampposts being teleported into her path – something very strange is happening. To her shock, a voice (James Peter Fraser) is keen to stress these disturbances are just temporary bugs in the system, and will be fixed in due course. But with this accidental confirmation that the world is a simulation, Marie struggles to adjust to her new reality.
An outstanding and affirming short, Untitled Earth Sim 64 pushes boundaries of what smaller, lower-budget sci-fi movies can achieve. The film is exceptionally well-produced and directed - featuring a strong story and performances, as well as impressive visual effects and slick editing that complement the plot and add genuine laugh-out loud humour. The film utilises authentic-looking erratic ‘glitch’ effects especially well, teleporting objects and characters around for some great sight gags.
As impressive as the effects are, the film is far from reliant on them to impress. Quite the opposite – as the tightly-woven script and witty dialogue provide enough entertainment for the visuals to be deployed to greater impact when required. The bantering between Marie and The Researcher is amusing and believable, with both parties as confused and worried as each other to be involved in the conversation. The film also packs a surprisingly emotional and heartfelt punch – Marie’s conversation with her friend (Alexandra Frick) and a closing exchange with The Researcher covering madness, God, and the meaning of life in profound terms which fit within the themes of the short without altering the light-hearted tone too much. Jonathan Wilhelmsson understands exactly when to counter-balance heavier drama elements with humour, and vice-versa, to keep the film tonally exactly where he wants it.
Karen Olrich-White is charming and eccentric as Marie, whose journey from a curious lost soul to tinfoil hat-wearing true believer, is both believable and hilarious. Her comedic talents are as key as the visual effects at selling the innovative gags as Marie is tormented by bugs in the machine. And as she falls into a depression, Olrich-White opens a new side of the character to let the audience into her struggle. James Peter Fraser’s voiceover as The Researcher is similarly heartening, as he hurriedly tries to correct his workplace gaffe in ever-more ridiculous ways until finally addressing Marie directly with life advice that we can all relate to – whether you believe life is a simulation or not.
Packed not only with visual treats and gags, but also heart and deep conceptual ideas, Untitled Earth Sim 64 nails the essential elements of a Sci-Fi comedy. An enjoyable watch for both eyes and brain – you’ll be happy to spend some time in this simulated world.
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