The Shift

I had very high expectations for this film and for the most part it completely delivered. Inspired by the book of Job, I feel like it was a unique and creative modern/futuristic retelling. I thought the cast was amazing, however, there could have been a little more character development. We didn't have enough time to begin loving the main character and his relationship with his wife. I still loved it though.

I loved the setting and the darkness of the film, loved the casting, loved the quality of the film, and loved the depth of the storyline. It caused me to ponder the plot long after the movie had ended. The best thing was that it caused me to grab my Bible and look up some things from the book of Job. Well done!

A weird dystopian sci-fi story with a heavy focus on its religiously inspired plot. The story has substance and with strong acting performances and a somewhat realistic 'police state' setting it makes for compelling viewing, but it also overcomplicates itself by trying to fit in too much. The heavy emphasis on religious allegory, romance, drama and action scenes are all good, but I found it to be a bit boring. Some of the subtle special effects were good whereas others looked cheap, the overly loud music drowned out the atmosphere and the ending, whilst expected, felt a bit of a cop out.

6/10.

This film is a parallel to Job from the Bible. Truth is, watching this film made me feel like I was being punished. It was that bad. I felt like I was Job. I leaned over to my wife and asked if she wanted to leave the theater. In our fifteen years of marriage I have never done that. The film was too long. Too boring. Too scattered. Didn't make sense. And lacked cohesion and rhythm. It's hard to describe how bad it was. I do like some of the messages portrayed here. But it was essentially a mix of Dr Strange, hallmark, marvel multiverse, and a Christian background. It didn't feel like a sci-fi or a romance or a drama. It didn't know what it was. So it ended up being very poor.

Art is an invitation. Films that ask questions, that challenge us and provoke us and compel us to explore inner depths, those are the films we find ourselves contemplating and discussing long after the final credits have rolled.

The Shift is one of these films.

Written and directed by Brock Heasley and coming to us through Angel Studios, the production company best known for the groundbreaking television series, The Chosen, The Shift stays true to the spirit of its writer, director, and producers. It asks deep questions and makes bold decisions, pushing deep into a genre that is woefully under-represented in Christian art. While Marvel relentlessly releases film after film of cookie-cutter pablum, and the formerly beloved Star Wars franchise vomits out enough inferior recycled content to make us scream, "enough already," Heasley and Angel Studios have created what will hopefully be will be the first of many original films-movies with that smaller independent touch that allow us to experience something new and engage in a dialog of issues vital to the human condition. This is an area where Science Fiction has historically been there to challenge us, yet most modern Hollywood blockbusters have abandoned that aspect while Christian films have frankly not even made an attempt.

Until now.

Led by outstanding performances from Neal McDonough, Kristoffer Polaha, and Elizabeth Tabish, The Shift will take you into a series of dystopian worlds, engaging in a universe-jumping ride in which the lead character, Kevin, contends with societal oppression, personal betrayal, and his most primal fears. Can Kevin find the courage and strength to fight through it all and find his way back to the woman he loves?

The Shift is not a perfect film. There is a large amount of character- and world-building to be covered in 115 minutes, which leaves certain plot points and motivations underserved. While ambitious, the story could have benefited from a narrower focus. However, The Shift is highly entertaining, innovative, and thought provoking. It will engage you and challenge you. Brock Heasley and Angel Studios have created something fresh and important-a courageous, innovative, and risk-taking movie that requires a response, welcoming us into a genre and drawing us into a conversation we have too often avoided.

I don't think this movie deserves the low reviews it's getting based on people who cannot entertain the Christian/spiritual themes of the movie. I found it to be refreshing take on sci fi and overall social commentary that leaves you thinking about the world we live in today.

With this said, I wouldn't say it's a great movie, but not because of the content but because of the execution. The concepts are great but at times it feels a bit cheesy or for me and plot points don't quite add up, which reminds me I'm watching a movie. But overall it's Better than a lot of other movies being made now a days with bigger budgets and cast. Once again I'm really impressed with what Angel Studios has achieved.

6.5/10.