WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Visions of the future. How often is it contemplated what the years ahead will hold for us as the human race? When we see the fantastical realities presented via the entertainment mediums so prevalent in society, it’s hard not to think what a world with extraordinary, powered people would be like. For some, it is utopia. But for others, would it not be a nightmare? In one alternate universe, a young college woman, Rowen (Rose Kim), exists in an actuality where a small segment of the population is psychic. Looking for part-time employment with a local research institute centered on studying those with extrasensory ability, Rowen becomes a research assistant under the guidance of lead analyzer Jeremy (Jackson Stallings).
Working with her assigned “patient”, Sean (Jason Hui), in testing a new government-funded drug and its affects on psychics, Rowen still attempts to live a normal life with her roommate Laurie (Laurel Wong), Laurie’s boyfriend Sam (Jerrel Ramos) plus friends old and new via fellow researcher Dominic (Nand Mahasuwan) and his “patient” Aubrey (Erin Mozdy). However, life takes a drastic turn when an unanticipated reveal about Rowen shakes her to the core, sending her down a new path of discovery with the aid of psychic Sahil (Kartik Singhal). As Rowen comes to terms with the fresh but still unnerving realizations about herself, though, darker events and schemes are taking shape that will lead them all into the realms of betrayal, revelation, and even murder.
Next, my Mind:
Delivering her debut indie feature film effort, writer/director/producer/editor Georgia Agbodjan’s foray into the realms of dramatic science fiction shows many of the indicators of a first-time venture, yes, but also illustrates plenty of yet-to-be-explored talent and potential. The weaknesses, for this reviewer, were more from minor, overall production items, such as somewhat uneven scene transitions and sound editing issues here and there. The set pieces were uncomplicated, which works perfectly in lower budget situations, as focusing the viewer more on the characters themselves and the greater narrative is more important in the long run. The actual cinematography was smoothly executed, though, and the themes being presented of minority oppression, its related ramifications, radical organizations, hidden prejudice, and overt government control alongside fundamental ideas such as finding one’s identity, accepting change, friendship, and seeking the truth all stand out firmly and with conviction when looking beyond any of the technical gaffes.
As to the acting here, just being honest, it wasn’t perfect, but that’s not what should be expected either. This is ultimately about effort and doing the best possible, and the ensemble cast here successfully accomplishes that in decent form. Kim is endearing and down-to-earth as Rowen, a normal girl thrust into abnormal circumstances she never could have predicted. Having to deal with this sudden upheaval in her own life, much less trying to deal with the escalating events around her, is more than a challenge. But she steps up and faces it, to which I do credit Kim for pulling off well as the character. Mahasuwan is a total trip as Dominic, a rather carefree soul whose mainly jovial attitude towards everything he encounters adds quite an entertaining spin to the proceedings, even though he can also very much be deadly serious about things when he needs to. His friendship with Rowen is a key to walking her through the craziness around them, and Mahasuwan likewise enacts this in fine fashion.
Mozdy as the intelligent, sixth sense-bearing Aubrey, Stallings as the dogged lead researcher Jeremy, Wong as Rowen’s bubbly roomie Laurie, Singhal as the well-meaning but somewhat enigmatic Sahil, Hui as Rowen’s not-so-cooperative “patient” Sean, and Ramos as Laurie’s teleporting paramour Sam all contribute with solid supporting performances here as well. Additionally, there are appearances from Shubha Rajan, Lana Vanzine, and Calli Gade (in voice only). In total, despite some shaky acting moments and technical glitches, “Psychics Tomorrow” still represents the indie film genre as a whole with promise, rising talent, steady overall execution, and the foreshadowing of possibilities to come from a new filmmaker and performers, all while giving us a glimpse of a future we might not want to know.
As always, this all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
