Welcome one and all to part 32 of my weekly blog series, The 52 In 52. The concept is simple, each week I pick a film from my DVD and Blu Ray collection that has sat on my shelf gathering dust and I review it. Last week I reviewed what is my film of the year so far, Us.
As always if you have any comments or feedback leave a comment in the section below or by following me on Twitter and Instagram.
This week I will be talking about 2015 Sci Fi/Horror film The Lazarus Effect. Written by Luke Dawson (Shutter) and Jeremy Slater (The Exorcist TV Series) and directed by David Gelb The Lazarus Effect follows the story of Frank (Mark Duplass) and Zoe (Olivia Wilde) two scientists that have created a chemical, Lazarus, that can bring the dead back to life. Along with Niko (Donald Glover), Clay (Evan Peters) and Eva (Sarah Bolger) they manage to bring a dog back to life but, after an accident Zoe has to come face to face with the effects of her creation and what secrets it can unlock.
I was pleasantly surprised by The Lazarus Effect. I remember when it was released it flew under the radar, despite the fact it boasted a well known cast and a half way decent original story. The story begins as a pretty standard sci fi film that reminded me a little bit of Flatliners. It then, very quickly, descends into a very dark horror film that deals with demons and pasts catching up with each character. The third act really explores some dark themes and is told really well.
The cast is fantastic. I loved the relationship between Olivia Wilde and Mark Duplass. There is a tension between the two that is never really fully explored but, is hinted at especially in the second act when there is a relationship between Zoe and Niko. I felt that Niko and Clay were a little one dimensional. Whilst they were interesting enough their characters were never evolved more than the assistants that helped add to the kill count. The character of Eva is similar to Niko and Clay. I felt she was developed slightly more but, lacked in any real meaningful background. Olivia Wilde is the real star of the show, switching from mild mannered to possessed monster over the second and third act.
The effects are done pretty well. The sequences in which Zoe revisits a traumatic experience from her childhood is very entertaining and I love the way in which Eva is brought into the dream unwillingly and is able to interact with the characters. I also loved how well the story in that past experience unfolds, not giving away the full story until the final part of the third act.
Overall I thought The Lazarus Effect was a decent enough film. A strong cast and interesting story are more than engaging. Whilst the story loses a little steam towards the end, the third act wraps nicely leaving the viewer guessing what could happen next.
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