Monday, November 4, 2024

“THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT”

THE STORY – Fleeing the police after a close-call robbery, two estranged siblings escape to a mysterious farmhouse that transports them to a different time.

THE CAST – Adam David Thompson & Riley Dandy

THE TEAM – Michael Felker (Director/Writer)

THE RUNNING TIME – 102 Minutes


Time is an inherently fascinating concept to explore because there are so many layers in which to examine its value. Many choose to use it as a method to structure their stories and inform the method by which the plot itself is delivered. For others, it is a means to provide more extensive commentary, wrestling with weighted themes that give insight into the surrounding world. Ultimately, time is perceived as a rigid and finite resource, constantly flowing in one direction despite the desperate pleas for reversal. It is no wonder why the cinematic medium is fodder for altering this perception, which can be the foundation for twisty pulp adventures and introspective character studies. “Things Will Be Different” utilizes this perspective to create a story that indulges in both genre exercises and earnest commentary, and the final product is equally fascinating and frustrating.

At a small diner, estranged siblings Joseph (Adam David Thompson) and Sidney (Riley Dandy) have just met up after a high-stakes robbery. With the police still on their trail, they make their way to a home nestled out in the middle of nowhere. However, this is no ordinary farmhouse, for it holds a secret power that will aid them in their escape. Walking through one specific closet door allows them to enter a separate timeline, one that is isolated from the boundaries where they previously existed. While their initial plans were to lay low for two weeks before returning, that agenda is disrupted by a mysterious force that prevents them from leaving. In order to survive this ordeal, the pair must agree to eliminate another dangerous foe encroaching upon the territory. The duo has no choice but to adhere to these demands, stuck in a never-ending loop before being confronted with the terrifying truth that awaits to be discovered.

Admittedly, things do start a bit slow in establishing the foundation of this narrative. One is not totally aware of the fractured state that will soon be presented, and the introductory tone is one that is tedious to wade through. The somber exposition comes across as stilted in its execution, and writer-director Michael Felker does not thoroughly craft an engaging entry point. When the high concept reveals itself, many of the mechanical details are kept vague and obtuse, but this can be a captivating way to create this strange universe while allowing the audience to piece together the puzzle themselves. It’s a process that can occasionally be aggravating, but there is also a thrill in the discovery. The atmosphere is heavy, with a foreboding dread that adds tension to this conflict. The results are inconsistently entertaining, but when the material needs to find the right notes of suspense to play with, there is an effective delivery.

All of these machinations are at the service of the central mystery, and this is where the film struggles the most in showcasing a successful endeavor. The premise is inherently intriguing, and the method in which the fractured timelines must interact with one another creates a compelling arena of guesswork. Still, this structure does not become that engrossing until the final act. The personal stakes for these characters are muted to the point where it’s challenging to find the exact motivation that will give the piece a greater sense of momentum. With such intimate quarters, the desire to bond with these individuals as they deal with their emotional catharsis under these strange circumstances does not come to fruition, making the viewing experience a laborious process to endure.

Both Thompson and Dandy do an admirable job of carrying their scenes together, particularly helped by their endearing chemistry. A palpable strain in this relationship is genuinely communicated by the feeling of adult family members being awkward in each other’s presence but sharing a mutual admiration that mostly boils beneath the surface. Each also has their own baggage to give their roles a certain level of dimension, though Dandy arguably is the one who masters this task on a slightly superior level. She brings a more distinct vulnerability to her portrayal that can be more moving than the brute force that embodies Thompson, though he does have frail moments he conveys as well. The entire runtime is almost exclusively these two actors, and while their efforts are not always the most revolutionary, they are serviceable enough to be enthralling for what the material demands.

There can be something thrilling to see the execution of a sci-fi premise on a low scale. The meager resources challenge a production to find innovative methods to display their lofty ideas, which seems to be the objective of “Things Will Be Different.” The overall ideas are alluring in their designs, but the execution leaves much to be desired. Despite the appealing premise, the storytelling often succumbs to tedium, leaving a lethargic pace in its wake with characters that are only slightly interesting. The actors do a fine job for what they are given, but despite the potential for this material to become wholly riveting, it fails to be an utterly gripping experience. It is appreciated that it has ambitions to play with the perceptions of time once again, but its impact does not hold as much weight by the conclusion.

THE RECAP

THE GOOD - An intriguing premise that lays the foundation of an effective atmosphere of dread and tension. There are some moments that are effective in creating suspense, and the two main actors are solid anchors.

THE BAD - The pacing can feel lethargic, and the narrative lacks momentum to keep it wholly engaging. The emotional connection to the material and characters is at a distance, making the whole enterprise feel slight and tedious.

THE OSCAR PROSPECTS - None

THE FINAL SCORE - 5/10

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Josh Parham
Josh Parhamhttps://nextbestpicture.com
I love movies so much I evidently hate them. Wants to run a production company.

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<b>THE GOOD - </b>An intriguing premise that lays the foundation of an effective atmosphere of dread and tension. There are some moments that are effective in creating suspense, and the two main actors are solid anchors.<br><br> <b>THE BAD - </b>The pacing can feel lethargic, and the narrative lacks momentum to keep it wholly engaging. The emotional connection to the material and characters is at a distance, making the whole enterprise feel slight and tedious.<br><br> <b>THE OSCAR PROSPECTS - </b>None<br><br> <b>THE FINAL SCORE - </b>5/10<br><br>"THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT"