FANTASIA 2020: Lapsis
fantasiaIn a post-Black Mirror world, never before have so many seen the power that Science Fiction could carry as a reflection of the real world and the larger concepts within it. One film using this concept is Noah Hutton's Lapsis, which is streaming as part of the 2020 Fantasia International Film Festival. Despite his indifference to new technology, Ray Tincelli (Dean Imperial) accepts a job as a cabler, which is the newest trendy job that pays very well. Pulling cables through the forest, Ray meets others and begins to question the situation he finds himself in.
Easily the best element within Lapsis is the world itself. The actual process of learning about the cabling industry and how everything works was truly engaging and thought-provoking. It also is clear that the film spent time thinking about the fundamentals of how this world worked, addressing multiple potential plot holes in the screenplay – also coming from Noah Hutton – making the world feel layered and well crafted. What world especially special is how it adds to the narrative. This world naturally sets up some really smart developments for the plot that feel completely natural and believable for how it pushes the plot and characters. It also helps that the performances completely buy into this world and the various elements in it. Where so many dystopian world films decide to have their actors play into the madness, giving performances of an uncanny value, Lapsis doesn't offer this, having the performers give very grounded and realistic takes on their characters. This helps the film feel relatable, which helps the audience find the deeper meaning within its plot.
Lapsis is in no way a subtle film when it comes to its social commentary. It is a film that very clearly not only has a premise that exposes the flaws and lies of capitalism but outright says its message multiple times. Where the film succeeds at showing its message, it does feel like it could have been more subtle, considering how effective the world is already at sharing this message. The conversation itself also does feel a bit basic, with the revelations that characters face being basic knowledge for some. It serves as a good introduction to the lies of capitalism but really doesn't lead to many breakthroughs that will shock audiences and expand their thinking of the subject if they already know the basics of the conversation. The ending also feels a bit all over the place. It tries to fill itself with a poetic ending for the story that goes on just way too long and loses the punch of the social commentary the film seemingly is trying to have.
Lapsis, for better or for worse, is best described as a feature-length Black Mirror episode. Where the concept is incredibly smart and the acting really brings the world to life, it also feels like it only scratches the surface when trying to dive deeper. Has it really provided something new and impactful with its social commentary? The film had all the needed components to be a true masterpiece but sadly never reaches that next level. Still, Lapsis is worth checking out – even if it won't lead to new revelations for most.
