“Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves.” It’s a well-known proverb that frequently applies to revenge thrillers that see their protagonists slowly transform into monsters themselves when wholly consumed by their vengeance. The logline for Redux Redux suggests a similar path for its lead character, a distraught mother driven to murder […]
Just when Redux Redux feels poised to continue down this path toward exhausting repetition, it introduces a narrative foil in Mia (Stella Marcus), a rare victim of Neville’s found still alive. The teen runaway turned trauma survivor clings to her savior, shattering the careful routine and injecting a chaotic unpredictability. That’s largely due to Marcus’ bold performance; Mia is a teen who rebukes authority and is as unwaveringly stubborn as Irene. Her loose set of morals born of survival needs becomes both an asset and a hindrance in ways that often lead to exciting chase sequences, confrontations, and even horror-leaning violence right up to the intensely harrowing and violent finale. It’s the much needed shakeup that both Irena and her story needed to avoid retreading similar fare.
Also clever is the way the filmmakers structure this twisted revenge tale. Irene is introduced as the violent aggressor, framing Neville as a hapless diner employee with smaller clues of villainy. As Irena continues down her path, however, her guard lowers, giving glimpses of her vulnerabilities and soulful heartbreak as Neville showcases more and more of his sadistic streak. Holm becomes utterly terrifying in the climax, ensuring that no matter whether Irene loses herself to vengeance for good or not, it’s justified if it means ridding the world of this sick maniac.
Redux Redux takes the tired multiverse concept and makes it feel fresh through its gritty, grounded approach and tautly wound storytelling. There’s a complexity to Irene’s grief that’s authentic and layered, more than earning her emotional journey and rooting interest even as she makes missteps. Slickly directed and cleverly told, Redux Redux makes for a dread-soaked and pleasantly unpredictable surprise of an indie sci-fi thriller.
Redux Redux made its world premiere at SXSW. Release info TBD.
