NEW LIFE
US, 2023, 85 minutes, Colour.
Sonya Walger, Hayley Erin, Tony Amendola, Jeb Berrier, Ayanna Birkshire.
Directed by John Rosman.
Complex in its plotting, tantalising as the narrative develops.
At first, we encounter Jessica, bruised, pursued, a victim. Then we have another woman, Elsa, ill, but part of a network of surveillance. And Jessica is under surveillance.
Gradually, details of the plot unfold, the reality of Jessica and her past, her relationship with her partner, and the revelation about illness and infection – and it veers into an atmosphere of the living dead.
As Jessica continues to escape, Elsa pursuing her despite her illness, confrontations between the two, Jessica also encounters a number of people who help her, the kindly farming couple, a young woman who gives her a job – but, there is a grim tone to this film, with almost everyone as victims of infection and illness as well as some human malice.
Not essential viewing, complicated in its unravelling, but, in retrospect, an interesting variation on the living dead theme.
- A brief intervention-horror thriller?
- The setting, the US countryside, North, the towns, the homesteads, homes, the surveillance bureau? Atmosphere? The musical score?
- The young woman, blood, wandering, washing in blood, the house, packing, leaving, walking, the encounter with a couple and their welcome, the food, the lift, going to the town, asking for the job, the friendship with Molly? The mystery?
- Elsa, at home, her health, infirmity, the work, her contact with surveillance, Raymond Reid, surveillance, her skills, her commission to find Jessica? Her contact with her friend and his disabled wife, their discussions and his encouragement?
- Raymond Reid, the associates, the surveillance? The situation, the infection, the need to contain it?
- Jessica, her memories, midway through the film, the indication of the theme, her boyfriend, the red spots, the authorities taking them, hospital, his collapse, the guards, protective clothing, the attack, her escape?
- The kindly couple, their being infected and the consequences, Molly and her friendship, offering accommodation, the infection?
- Reid, his authority, Elsa and her reluctance, and search, tracking Jessica, pursuing her, the confrontation, the shops, the moral dilemma, saving people from infection, Jessica and her death?
- A variation on the themes, the particular focus on bondage infected person and the consequences? And the mission for surveillance and tracking down the infected person?
