The story that unfolds in One thing in The Dust performs out like a misguided documentary. Although the better themes of the movie appear to be past this universe, Co-directors Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson (who additionally wrote the script) cleverly lean into persona quirks and unreliable narration to make the movie very human and modern, particularly contemplating the quantity of historical past, math and conspiracy theories populating the script. The creators additionally star on this sci-fi two-hander that’s set primarily in a small one-bedroom house. Because the movie is about making a documentary, there may be lots to unpack.
When Levi (Benson) strikes into a brand new house advanced, he runs into fellow neighbor John (Moorhead). Levi works as a bartender and John is a marriage photographer, however they each share an curiosity within the mysteries of the world. John affords his ex-husband’s furnishings as a welcome reward to Levi and the 2 strike up a friendship. Sooner or later, John is leaving Levi’s house when he sees a mysterious gentle reflecting off an ashtray. Upon additional investigation, John and Levi understand they’ve solely scratched the floor of the supernatural. They determine the most effective plan of action is to make a documentary about what they’re witnessing. Quickly after filming begins, they each go down a rabbit gap of secret societies and theoretical abstractions, however one thing extra sinister lies beneath. The supernatural phenomenon could be protected, however John and Levi will not be.
The movie has terribly excessive aspirations. Saying that they’re all reached could be a stretch, however it might be honest to say that they’re all addressed. Contemplating the movie’s scope, it turns into tiresome to introduce a B plot about Benson’s relationship with legal injustice and dependancy, however it’s the nihilistic viewpoint of Moorhead’s character that brings the secondary plot into focus. He firmly believes that nothing issues, so why fear about overdosing? It is in distinction to Benson, who has been in search of happiness his complete life and simply can’t appear to carry onto it.
The idea of a film inside a film is not new, however the gems are discovered right here within the relationship viewers have to what’s artwork and what’s conceitedness. One thing in The Dust options two leads who lie, assume they’re smarter than one another, and albeit symbolize what’s unsuitable with anybody who is definite their standpoint is correct. This concept is smart when juxtaposed with discovering a supernatural component inside an house. Nobody will go away this movie considering that is not precisely what these characters would do in actual life. There are a variety of movies within the vein of Our bodies Our bodies Our bodies, which makes an attempt to discover Gen Z and their shortcomings. However Benson and Moorhead are millennials who’re investigating why they are often concurrently pretentious and broke.
One thing in The Dust is a wild journey that may take one to the bounds of actuality and take a look at one’s endurance. It is exhausting to observe unlikable characters, nevertheless it’s additionally fascinating. Benson and Moorhead have made a really attention-grabbing film, and it would even reside on to be a cult basic. Benson and Moorhead have definitely made it clear what they’re focused on as filmmakers and One thing in The Dust is one other trippy entry into their burgeoning cannon.
One thing within the Dust launched in theaters November 4. The movie is 116 minutes lengthy and is rated R for language and a short violent picture.