Meander

Sometimes a film is confusing and you absolutely have to find out what is was about, while other times a film is confusing and you just find it annoying. 'Meander' was unfortunately the latter. I think I understand for the most part what it was intended to mean, but I certainly don't care enough to go seeking out confirmation. More than anything I just wanted it to be over by the end.

Which is a shame because it started out so promisingly. A decent opening scene setting things up and then a little mini-twist. Then we are introduced to the tunnels and get a real 'Cube' (one of my favourite sci-fi films) feel. But then the next 30 minutes are very disappointing. There is no character interaction in sight - which doesn't have to be a bad thing - but on this occasion made everything very dull and monotonous.

I was also disappointed by how simple the premise ultimately was. I won't describe what she needed to do, but it was so basic it created no intrigue whatsoever. Sadly I didn't enjoy 'Meander' much after being excited to see it for a while now. Not one I'd recommend.

This film reminds me far more of the current 'Escape Room' type films, than 'Cube', other than it is a single person, and not a group.

Since there is little dialog, it may be the type of film to watch on a second monitor of your computer system while you work on something else.

Curious, since the song and dialog at the beginning are in English in the version I saw (DVD title Meander, Gravitas Ventures release) but the ending dialog was in French with English subtitles.

Ok, so when the movie started out i thought it was going to be pretty good, i always liked mystery movies where someone wakes up in an unknown location and has to solve mysteries and puzzles to get out. To the films credit it had a lot of good set work and cinematography, but the main issue with it is how it gradually falls apart the longer it goes on. Its pretty clear that the writers were just making up stuff as they went along, apparent by how everything that happens in it gets progressively weirder and weirder, to the point where it gets completely nonsensical and all-over-the-place by the end. Theres also a couple conveniences in the script, theres several moments in the film where the main character should very well die but just... doesnt, because the plot needs her alive. Also this movie seems to have a similar problem with the movie "circle" and "cadaver" where it doesnt really have any progression or narrative, it just keeps going on and on without accomplishing anything narritive-wise until it hits its runtime. The majority of this movie is just watching a girl crawl through tubes and avoid traps, we didnt really learn much about what was happening until the very end, and until then it just never progresses anything.

Now despite everything ive said about this movie i would still recommend it if youre into the kind of genre, because even though the plot kinda sucks, everything else is pertty good, there were some pretty good puzzles and clever moments in the game itself, just dont expect a very well written plot.

Though I reckon one should not waste too much time on crawling. Sorry I mean on praying - crawling is the thing one has to do ... and quite fast too. For those who have seen something like Cube: try not to compare these movies against each other. Yes similarities are there and it will be tough not to hold this under the microscope.

Having said that, this works as a tense and claustrophobic one woman show almost all the way through. Motives and motivations may be lost on you - you may hate certain decisions that are being made ... but overall there is not time to think about what is happening. Forward is the way to go. But there is also some philosophical note to it. So while this is quite short on dialog and spoken words, when something is being said, it may carry more weight. Depending if you are up to hear and absorb them.

Very well staged and shot and quite the tour de force (no pun intended) for our main character ... obviously the ending may elevate or break the whole thing for you ... I can't tell you which way it will swing for you ...

The premise for this film is simple: A woman is kidnapped by a serial killer and left in a deadly obstacle course...which she must navigate her way through before time runs out.

If she fails...she dies.

The whole thing is barely large enough to crawl through and is filled with puzzles and booby traps.

On her wrist is a light with a timer on it.

It gives her 11 minutes to complete each section.

As you might expect...most of the film is just the actress crawling around what looks like a system of vents.

She's not the only one crawling around in there, however.

As, at times, she is pit against other survivors...whom she must fight in order to survive.

Apparently, the whole system is designed to be failed.

Because you need to fail at least once- after which you are sent back to the beginning, to start again- before you can progress to the end.

It's all very reminiscent of Vincenzo Natali's Cube series.

But this one is clearly meant to be read as a challenge where you face your inner demons- even the devil himself- and win.

Only this isn't a game...it's the spiritual quest of the afterlife.

To free oneself from the cycle of rebirth into the realm of suffering.

To achieve absolute liberation.

Nirvana.

Thus...in the end...it's safe to say she died on the road that day.

But she is still forever, eternal.

A nice little film, with lots of tension inducing moments.

It's no Enter The Void...but it's running off very similar themes.

6.5 out of 10.