Review by Jon Donnis
"The Fix" is a gripping and ambitious science fiction thriller that punches above its weight, delivering an engaging tale of survival, corporate greed, and the ethical dilemmas of human evolution. Written and directed by Kelsey Egan, the film tackles a frighteningly plausible future where Earth's toxic atmosphere forces humanity to rely on a life-saving drug controlled by the ruthless pharmaceutical giant, Aethera. The film's lean 90-ish minute runtime ensures it moves at a brisk pace, keeping the viewer invested from start to finish.
At the heart of the story is Ella McPhee, played with impressive nuance by Grace Van Dien. Her transformation, both physical and emotional, drives the narrative as she navigates her mutation and the moral complexities of her role in humanity's potential salvation. The makeup and effects work on Ella's mutation is particularly commendable, managing to evoke both horror and awe despite the film's modest budget. The international cast, including Daniel Sharman as the chillingly pragmatic Eric O'Connors and Nicole Fortuin as the enigmatic Lazarus, delivers strong performances that add depth to the film's characters.
The world-building is immersive yet feels slightly constrained by budget limitations. The story focuses on a small cast of characters and a limited number of locations, which keeps the plot intimate but leaves some of the broader sci-fi elements underexplored. Despite this, Egan's direction ensures the stakes feel real and immediate, using every dollar to maximum effect. The soundtrack complements the action well, heightening tension and lending the film a polished atmosphere.
"The Fix" excels in its themes, offering a sharp critique of corporate monopolies and the ethical failings of profit-driven science. The narrative aligns the audience firmly with the underdogs, independent scientists and rebels, while portraying big pharma as chillingly manipulative. This moral dichotomy, while not groundbreaking, feels timely and resonates strongly in today's socio-political climate.
On the downside, the low budget occasionally becomes apparent in the film's inability to fully explore its more ambitious concepts. Some of the broader implications of the atmospheric toxicity and the mutagenic drug are touched on but not delved into as deeply as they could have been. However, the tight pacing and focused narrative prevent these shortcomings from detracting significantly from the overall experience.
Ultimately, "The Fix" is a testament to what can be achieved with limited resources when passion and creativity are at the forefront. It's a tightly woven sci-fi thriller that delivers both adrenaline-fuelled action and thought-provoking ideas. While it leaves you wishing for a big-budget adaptation to fully realise its potential, it stands strong as an independent production. A solid 8 out of 10, "The Fix" is an engaging and memorable ride for fans of dystopian cinema.
Out Now on Prime Video - https://amzn.to/4fNZr7f
And on Apple TV - https://apple.co/4i9erOC