Lapsis

I also watch almost anything SF. Problem is, most ostensible SF is SF in name only, what used to be disparaged as "sci-fi" in the SF community.

True SF is about ideas, not just mindless action sheathed in sci-fi trimmings. That is why, even with the compulsion to watch almost anything that may possibly be SF, we are mostly disappointed, so much so that being disappointed becomes the default expectation.

So, indeed, Lapsis surprisingly exceeds these expectations. It takes an idea and runs with it. That it may not comport "realistically" with actual cable laying is beside the point. We explore the "idea" and its ramifications, and this exploration is enjoyable and engaging.

That is what SF is about...so perhaps being pleasantly surprised in this manner inflates the rating a little bit, but if the grading is on a curve, it is well-deserved.

Not the easiest thing to review. It's really frustrating to get through an entire film only to come to a conclusion that one either doesn't understand or just doesn't make sense. Considering many of the reviews on here, it doesn't appear that I am alone with the finale puzzlement. I don't know when this takes place, though everything seems "today" with landlines and cell phones and normal vehicles, but it sure plays like futuristic sci-fi about, of all things, gig workers being taken advantage of. These workers are literally pulling cables through forests to connect to a new kind of computing technology. It's a very unusual, original & intelligent film with a cast of unknowns who all give honest and very real performances starting with the lead, Dean Imperial. It's well made and looks good especially for a low budget film. There 's a lot of real life family connections running through this that you can read about here. Talent clearly runs in the family. Still, as I said at the beginning, this oddity is ultimately a frustrating experience due to that obscure ending, though I'm sure writer/director Noah Hutton knows what it means. Shame he didn't let us in.

Documentary/short filmmaker Noah Hutton scored, wrote, edited and directed this genius little out-of-the-ordinary minimalist sci-fi gem. It's a weirdly smart, very low-budget alternate universe sci-fi social satire, that was so well directed, shot, scored and cast, you actually feel engaged that you're in this Nolan-esque parallel universe.

Dean Imperial's performance excellently portrayed that (alternate universe) 1980's blue-collar worker struggling to make ends meet, that's willing to take risks to get ahead. The upstate NY forest setting was well used and shot. What really impressed me was how perfect Hutton's score was. It was right up there with the eeriness sound in Christopher Nolan's Interstellar. Had his score not been that good, the viewer may have been unconvinced of this alternate universe, and that this was a simple cheaply done low budget film in a forest.

What sadly failed this film, was better/faster pacing, and a shorter runtime of its 108 mins, that felt much longer. There just wasn't enough substance to fill the runtime, and the pacing made it that much more aggravating. There were many irrelevant and long dragged out/unnecessary scenes, with plot and technical issues. What made it worse, is that Hutton did such a great job keeping you engaged and in suspense enough to hang on until the end, that ultimately failed to deliver anything satisfying to his audience to make the ending worth waiting for.

Nevertheless, it's a good one-time-viewing film. It may not be for everyone, and really, it wasn't for me, as I'm an adrenaline and action junkie, but I also do appreciate unique and great filmmaking, and Hutton delivered that - on a very low budget.

Lapsis is one of those films that makes you think. One that will be a classic in time due to its quirkiness and story. The normal story of a many named ray who joins a mysterious company that pulls cables for the quantum computer. It starts off normal until he starts to notice things and unravels a mystery that drives you deep. The cast and director both did great. Its a well written and acted film that although strange it makes fun a fun watch.

The film ended earlier than I expected

In a good way I suppose as I was waiting for more. Does it need to be resolved or is it going on all around us.

If you don't get it then simply swap the cable laying for say driving an Uber or delivering parcels.

Great performances and the film certainly was very well produced, if it makes you think then I guess it worked as a movie.