The independent sci-fi genre seems to be undergoing something of a renaissance at the moment and the latest picture to enter the field is the debut film from British writer/director Christopher Butler- The Scopia Effect. An ambitious project that spans several decades and tackles some interesting themes, the film oozes originality and despite a few flaws, it remains a confident debut.
Basia (Joanna Ignaczweska) is a young Polish girl wrestling with depression and anxiety. As a cure to her problems she begins attending therapy and ultimately agrees to take part in a form of hypnosis with the intention of opening up her mind to help her deal with problems from her earlier life that may be subconsciously affecting her in the present day. In doing so, however, she manages to awaken a dark energy lying dormant inside her – sparking a series of events that lead to Basia experiencing trauma from different lives in centuries gone by.
The film is a mix of a kitchen sink drama and magical realism, tackling both the issues Basia has to face with her depression and the horrors that are coming to her from these alternate realities. This is all handled well by Ignaczweska who has a magnetic presence on screen and proves to be the films best asset throughout, her performance keeping the film grounded especially when some of the more fantastical elements begin to creep in as the film progresses.
The Scopia Effect is undeniably ambitious in scope with director Christopher Butler citing the works of Christopher Nolan and Stanley Kubrick as influences. Whilst it is flawed in its execution, at times the film is a confident and at times a hypnotic debut feature. One of the key reasons is the film’s breathtaking cinematography – each shot has clearly been carefully selected and the film at times works better as a mood piece than anything else, a more contemporary comparison would be to the works of Ben Wheatley and Peter Strickland, with certain sequences in the film bringing back memories of the former’s A Field in England and the latter’s Berberian Sound Studio.
Where the film does struggle however, is with its narrative at times. Butler has sets his targets high for a debut, aiming for a complex multi-layered film but what transpires is an inconsistent affair that is at times completely engrossing, and at others baffling, though it will no doubt certainly reward repeat viewings. Certain sequences are superbly tense, which proves that Butler is clearly literate in the sci-fi horror genre and executes some of the films more surprising moments expertly, but the film struggles when it is trying to juggle numerous plot-points at the same time, with the film losing its focus somewhat in its third and final act.
Despite these flaws The Scopia Effect remains an interesting debut feature from Butler, with the director showing great promise for the future. Featuring some beautiful imagery and solid performances – this film is a solid entry into the indie sci-fi genre.
The Scopia Effect is available now on Video-on-Demand
