Writer and director John Rosman couldn’t have found a better home for his feature directorial debut than Fantasia Fest. New Life is equal parts slow-burn thriller and humanity horror that serves as more than just a film, but a call to action.
New Life quickly introduces us to the central figures of this story. First, we cold open to Jess (Hayley Erin; Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists) with blood smeared on her face walking through a neighborhood with urgency. She’s panting heavily, eying the houses as she passes — she’s on the run. She reaches for a spare key hidden underneath a porch plant and slips inside a house. After a quick cleanup and change of clothes, she eyes two men with guns in hand. She slips out unseen and continues on her journey.
Next, we encounter Elsa, (Sonya Walger; For All Mankind) glaring straight into the camera. She’s an older woman who is obviously going through something. There’s a gun in her hand, but she quickly places it on the counter. There are inspirational notes stuck to the mirror. After a moment, she trades the gun for medication and continues her day. Elsa was recently diagnosed with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) and has been trying to cope with the diagnosis. She’s also a resourceful field agent who has been hired to find Jess, our girl on the run.
Elsa has Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone” on repeat. While pursuing Jess, we see her struggle with mobility issues. Her ankle gives out. It’s difficult for her to hold things. Yet, she’s determined to continue with her work.
At first, the reason for Jess’ getaway is unclear. Did she commit a crime? Is she the victim of a crime? All we know is that she’s trying to cross the Canadian border, and Elsa is in hot pursuit. As Elsa gets closer, bodies begin to pile up in a Cabin Fever-inspired way.
It’s here that we uncover the unique contrast between the two characters. This discovery leads the audience through the rest of the film. We’re invited to empathize with these characters in a way we weren’t expecting, which takes us to another level of horror beyond the characters’ experience.
Understanding how to pace the film so we never lose interest is no easy feat. Rosman earns another feather in his cap with a film that hides predictability. His success is in the tension, crafted in a way that lives inside your body while watching. It’s incredibly uncomfortable and beautiful. There are horrors, both seen and unseen, that people live with every day. And Rosman finds a balance in illuminating both without sacrificing the macabre.
The reveals from New Life don’t stop at the credits. You know too much of the character’s plight to continue as you were. The story has a clear purpose and a call to action that can’t be ignored.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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