WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
The pursuit of success. We all desire it. We all chase it. We all feel that the best means to attain it is to put everything we have into the fray, overcoming the obstacles, and persevering through the stormy times along the way which aim to prevent us from achieving the prize. Yet, it should be through integrity that all is accomplished, even to the point of teaming with others to see the goal come to life. What happens when this is forgotten? While it might be a time of celebration for Astrid Patel (Esha More), a young, vibrant, canny businesswoman on the verge of newfound excellence, her supposed partner on the deal, Evelyn Kwon (Joy Park), feels less than enthused. Trying to push through their myriad of differences in both personal and business ethics, Evelyn makes an offer and challenge that Astrid cannot help but accept, one that will bring glory–or decidedly deadly consequences.
Next, my Mind:
Primarily and foundationally sci-fi with a mix of dramatic thriller and JUST a tiny little splash of “Resident Evil”-esque leanings perhaps, at least for this critic, the 17-minute short film effort from writer/director/producer/editor Tim Earnheart carries a bluntly delivered, darkly affecting message about the deep price paid for betrayal, while also addressing the specific thematic elements associated with said notion (ie: overt cockiness being the cause and the engendered resentment, hurt, and desire for revenge that follows). These are all concepts very much explored in film consistency, but there’s no denying the means by which Earnheart and Co. choose to address the raw breakdown of friendship between two friends and the subsequently harsh ramifications one of them ends up facing is presented with brutal effectiveness and sci-fi action bombast.
What strikes me here first is the pure, basic idea found in how we as people, even when it involves a close friend, have the capability to turn on them so drastically, ultimately causing them pain and a sense of loss to the point where their only recourse to reconcile the disloyalty is to lash back with equal and, for them, ideally cathartic satisfaction. With the narrative posed in this film, that is executed with such a beautifully calculated malice and surprising intentionality on Evelyn’s part that by the time the action (or should I say unnerving chaos!) is over, the finale drives home its purpose with raw, bloody, delicious fun (if one may call it that!), impacting the viewer and perhaps even infusing them with the same level of gratification and triumph that Evelyn might feel.
What else caught me about the overall story is that it almost blurs the lines between innocense vs. devious reckoning and victim vs. perpetrator to the point where we likewise might find ourselves actually trying to ascertain exactly who we feel for more in the circumstances given. What seems predictable here ends up not being such, and somehow I’ve found that is a fairly consistent trait in the indie film ranks. It’s refreshing. Visually and pacing-wise, the film flows well, clearly and concisely, while nicely relying on mostly practical effects with only a smattering of SFX if any at all, and it does get savagely violent to make its point for sure. But again, it’s not gratuitous as much as over-the-top, allowing for entertainment value to remain while still giving the film an edgy, even slightly horror feel during certain moments, straight action movie during others.
More, I feel, most certainly gives off a vibe of relishing her role as Astrid, a promising, bold, and oh-so-blatantly confident businesswoman who’s on the cusp of much greater accolades and personal fulfillment thanks to a business venture she’s closing. Yet, when it is revealed how rather unscrupulous methods and decisions were made to access the mountaintop, much less at the cost of another’s trust and friendship, her haughty attitude remains intact, which only leads her down a path to potential destruction. Patel just embodies the character’s unconcealed, palpable arrogance masked under a mostly “fun and flirty” demeanor that belies Astrid’s true heart. It also makes what happens with the character even more believable and grounded, with a defiance that remains until the end, when events take their twisted turn. A beautiful performance by More throughout.
On the opposite side of the “attitude spectrum” is the wonderfully understated yet no less powerfully present Park as Astrid’s best friend and business partner Evelyn, whose more reserved and quiet manner has taken an even bigger hit upon learning that the one she’s known AS her friend has chosen to stab her in the proverbial back. Clearly devastated, Evelyn doesn’t hide it, but yet allows herself to be convinced to “buck up and accept what’s happened” by Astrid, who tries to distract Evelyn with other thoughts and actions. Yet, Evelyn may not at all be the shy, easily manipulated/stepped on woman it appears, and the character’s ultimate reaction to what’s transpired is simply genius, so well-played by Park to the extent it very much makes you both root for her–yet maybe on certain levels not? It’s convincing and deftly presented through Park’s performance.
Primary supporting players arrive courtesy of S. Joe Downing as Dr. Woo (and a couple of other decidedly colorful and VERY necessary characters to boot! WATCH the film, folks! NO giveaways here!), the head of an enigmatic organization that has more than a definitive part to play in the proceedings, Ayuba Audu in multiple roles (isn’t the magic of film wonderful?) as various employees of said shadowy company, and Lionel Balland as a scientist along with appearances from Gianna-Marie and Josef Dietrich. In total, “Nemesis” furnishes solid entertainment and bang for your buck while being another cautionary tale that assuredly illustrates one main significant point for the masses–don’t betray your friends peeps! You just never know how it will come back on you no matter how confident you are that it won’t!
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
This film sounds interesting. I am taken by the depth and length of your review. It’s rare to see this much mental space given to a short. I enjoyed it.