disappointment media
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • The Snake Hole
  • About

BIOSPHERE -- An Insanely Unique and Expertly Acted Film

7/6/2023

0 Comments

 
Review by Camden Ferrell
Picture
Biosphere may very well be one of the most creative movies of the year. It had its premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival and serves as the feature film debut of director Mel Eslyn. Written by Eslyn and Mark Duplass, the latter of whom also stars in the film and produced it, this movie blends post-apocalyptic sci-fi, buddy comedy, and profound human insight in a way like no other film has before.
 
It’s the future, and Billy and Ray are best friends, and they are also the final two men on Earth.  Ray is a brilliant man who has designed a dome for them to live in, one that could sustain life when the world around them no longer could. This movie follows them as they pass each day in their unique habitat while having the future of humanity resting on their shoulders. It’s a highly original premise, and it’s one that takes full advantage of its potential, creating a story full of ambitious narrative choices.
 
With a cast of only two people in a single location, there is very little room for the writing to falter. Eslyn and Duplass’ script is pleasant and feels reminiscent of a stage play. Minimal in execution but maximal in thematic scope, they brilliantly blend casual dialogue with more urgent messages of humanity. There is the occasional scene that may drop the ball with its ambitious choices, but even when it falls short, it’s still admirable. 
Picture
A movie like this couldn’t possibly work without two fantastic leading men, and that is exactly what was delivered. Led by Duplass and Sterling K. Brown, this is more than anything, a showcase for their individual acting abilities as well as their undeniable chemistry. They treat the subject with the earnestness it deserves while also playing well into the buddy comedy style interactions present. It’s a delicate blend, but both men handle it exquisitely.
 
It’s a daring choice to make this your feature film debut, and it pays off for Eslyn. She knows exactly how to execute these scenes to make them engaging while also properly dealing with the more creative choices that the film makes. It truly is a unique experience that doesn’t go where you expect and that subversion works to the film’s benefit greatly.
 
Biosphere is one of those movies that is far from perfect yet has no major shortcomings. It’s ambitious, elegantly written, insightful, tightly paced, and expertly acted. It will make you laugh, wince, and ponder the nature of humanity and what it means to keep going on. Brown and Duplass are fascinating to watch, and they help boost an already strong movie to be one of the year’s most memorable films.
 
Biosphere is in theaters July 7.

Rating: 4/5
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019

    Authors

    All
    Adam Donato
    Alan French
    Allison Brown
    Borja Izuzquiz
    Camden Ferrell
    Cole Groth
    Daniel Lima
    Dan Skip Allen
    Erin M. Brady
    Jonathan Berk
    Joseph Fayed
    Josh Batchelder
    Paris Jade
    Rafael Motamayor
    Sarah Williams
    Sean Boelman
    Tatiana Miranda

disappointment media

Dedicated to unique and diverse perspectives on cinema!
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • The Snake Hole
  • About