'Sensation': Movie Review
The new British science fiction film Sensation (2021) is about a young postal worker forcefully inducted into a top-secret superhuman DNA experiment. The movie feels like it is the result of an experiment conducted in the dark by mashing up the movies: The Matrix, Inception, and 007. Except that when the lights came on, it wasn’t 007. Instead, it was A Man called Dagger.
Martin Grof directed this film, which is based upon a screenplay co-written with Magdalena Drahovska. The movie stars Eugene Simon, Emily Wyatt, Jennifer Martin, and Bethan Wright. Some will recognize Simon from Game of Thrones, where he portrayed Lancel Lannister.
Plot
The story follows Andrew (Eugene Simon) as he tries to uncover the truth about his family history. He submits his DNA to a secret agency run by Dr. Marinus (Alastair G. Cumming) in order to understand his ancestry. Andrew is more special than he realizes.
His test results prove he has superhuman abilities within his DNA. Furthermore, he learns his grandparents were instrumental in the initial governmental program that created him. Dr. Marinus’s father was also part of the genesis of this effort. We only learn a little more about him in passing. Unfortunately, his history comes off as tone-deaf poor taste. Viewers learn his father conducted experiments on twins inside concentration camps during WWII.
Special agents Nadia (Emily Wyatt) and May (Jennifer Martin) coerce Andrew into joining them at the training camp. At first, he refuses to join them. The agents prove they’re special by showing him they can bend reality around him. They threaten his mother, who is only ever a disembodied voice on the phone played by Maggie Turner.
Shaan (Anil Desai), Rebecca (Bethan Wright), and Yuri (Kai Francis Lewis) join Andrew at a training facility set in the seemingly idyllic British countryside straight out of an episode of Midsomer Murders. As the group starts their training, Andrew notices a few strange things. The training activities are emotionally triggering for Andrew. He lashes out at both of his teachers as the training exercises suddenly intensify and then are suddenly, seemingly over. Other situations make him question his reality.
No one seems to pull on the thread to ask their trainers what the agency really wants of them. Their missions also become more ambitious and confusing as well. At some point, Andrew reawakens back in Dr. Marinus’s office to start the whole process again. Not that we want that to happen. While some may find the ending shocking, even a disappointment, it was the best part of the film.
Review
There are a few bright spots in the film. However, there are not enough of them to sustain it. Simply put, the budget may have been too low to execute such an ambitious plot. The film’s other flaws got in the way too.
The look and feel of the film are decent. The soundtrack is also well suited to the movie. The script and dialogue keep audiences interested despite the stilted, pretentious delivery by some of the cast. They were not on the same page regarding the intensity of the scenes and overall film.
The low budget rears its ugly head during several crucial moments. For example, there is a scene where Andrew displays his superhuman agility and strengths in a fight. With no special effects or trick camera work, the whole fight choreography came off looking clumsy. Still, other scenes are executed well, driving the confusing plot forward. This back and forth contributes to the unevenness of the overall film.
Sensation does not gain its footing as a sci-fi thriller. What could have been an exciting thriller is plagued by many issues.