New Life, 2024.

Written and Directed by John Rosman.
Starring Sonya Walger, Hayley Erin, Tony Amendola, Ayanna Berkshire, Nick George, Jeb Berrier, and Blaine Palmer.

SYNOPSIS:

A mysterious woman on the run, and the resourceful fixer assigned to bring her in. Their two unique stories inextricably link, as the stakes of the pursuit rise to apocalyptic proportions.

The first half of writer/director John Rosman’s New Life is intentionally confounding, and the payoff is more than worth it. Centered on Hayley Erin’s on-the-run Jessica and Sonya Walger’s fixer Elsa, the latter has been contacted by an organization to find and bring in the former. What’s especially odd is that while Elsa is portrayed as the hardened, no-nonsense villain in this scenario, with Jessica aware that someone is after her for some reason and means business, the film is also taking time to incorporate more grounded and human elements such as this agent going to the early stages of ALS.

Jessica is, or possibly was, a fiancé, as evidenced by the wedding ring and blood on her face. Or perhaps she murdered him. Naturally, she also doesn’t say much to the few friends she meets up with, which is logical considering she wants to stay hidden. She is trying to protect a small circle of friends at a farmhouse, but from what danger? There are also flashbacks to Jessica’s life with her partner Ian (Nick George), camping in the woods, which is sure to inevitably explain part of what’s happening here.

Choosing to withhold clear motives for each character feels like it could have easily been a recipe for disaster or a sign to mentally check out early, but the lived-in performances and sensitive treatment of the material, especially something as serious as ALS for a character still committed to the job, ensure intrigue. 

At that halfway mark, New Life shifts from cat-and-mouse thriller to horror, although I will leave the subgenre unspecified. That’s not to say the reveals are the only reason to watch this gutsy balancing act of genre because the characterization is also effective. There is also an element of conspiracy that could have been explored more deeply, although it’s also understandable why it’s not considering everything else being juggled.

What can be said is that the practical effects are detailed, and the horror sequences themselves are intense. The meticulously handled slow build to something that could have easily been written off as generic also allows something familiar to feel suspenseful and exciting. It’s worth stressing that the film isn’t necessarily doing anything new within that subgenre but gets away with trafficking in some of the more popular tropes because of its unorthodox structure and strong character work.

While New Life does lead to a riveting finale that makes the most of its transition into horror and major stakes for the world’s fate, it doesn’t quite reach the profound statement that it seems to be ambitiously aiming for. Still, as an exercise in unpredictability and connecting with characters despite the bare minimum information, it succeeds and announces John Rosman as a cleverly twisted filmmaker to keep an eye on. 

Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★

Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews, follow my Twitter or Letterboxd, or email me at MetalGearSolid719@gmail.com

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Jeff Landry is between a rocker and a hard place.

Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger took a jab at the conservative Louisiana governor during the rock band’s sold-out performance Thursday at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

“We’re a welcoming crowd, aren’t we?,” Jagger said to the thousands of festival attendees, per NBC affiliate WDSU. “I hope Mr. Landry is enjoying the show. He’s real inclusive, you know. He’s trying to take us back to the Stone Age.”

Landry, who won Louisiana’s gubernatorial race with former President Trump’s backing last October, replaced former Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards to become the first Republican in the state’s top office since 2016. He has supported conservative legislation including strict abortion bans, harsher prison sentences and restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors.

On Thursday night, he delivered a lighthearted clap-back at Jagger, even quoting a Rolling Stones’ song. “You can’t always get what you want,” Landry wrote on X. “The only person who might remember the Stone Age is @MickJagger.”

Jagger, 80, has been performing with the Rolling Stones for more than 60 years.

Landry, 53, finished his dig on a seemingly friendly note, writing, “Love you buddy, you’re always welcome in Louisiana!” and capping off the post with the hashtag #LoveMyCountryMusic.

Jagger has yet to respond, but several of the rock legend’s fans were coming to his defense in responses to the X post.

“That’s Sir Mick Jagger to you Jeffy,” one user replied. “Landry is a national disgrace and everyone knows it,” another wrote.

But another person had the governor’s back, posting, “I was at Jazzfest and it fell flat on the track. Keep up the good work Jeff. Results will prove your [sic] on the right track.

Jazz Fest performances continue throughout the weekend, ending Sunday. A schedule is available on the festival’s website.