GET READY FOR YOUR MIND TO BE BLOWN…

In 2020, the McManus brothers came out with a film called The Block Island Sound that became a bit of an underground cult hit. I found it to be a compelling little mystery, that put this directing duo on my radar. Five years later they have returned with another highly original film, that improves upon that picture in every way and cements these brothers as independent cinema royalty in my book.

Redux Redux follows Irene, a mother who uses a mechanical box to travel to different parallel worlds. Her daughter was murdered by a serial killer years ago and she has made it her mission to travel to every alternate universe, to kill this man in every one. But, when she comes upon a girl who has been kidnapped by the killer; Irene is forced to change this perpetual cycle or else they both will be condemned for life.

IF YOU THOUGHT TRULY “ORIGINAL FILMS” WERE DEAD… THINK AGAIN.

I have spent the last five years reviewing films, covering hidden gems to try and share them with the rest of the world. There’s a lot of really shitty movies out there, especially in this new age of streaming; so when I find a truly special, original film that I know not many people have heard of, all I want to do is sing its praises to anyone who will listen. It doesn’t happen often, maybe a couple of times a year, but when one of those movies comes along… the pure joy I get from it, is what makes this career worth it. And I got that feeling with Redux Redux.

The McManus Brothers have crafted a film that is hitting on all cylinders. And it really proves that there are no limitations in independent cinema, only the ones that are put on by its creators. And this directing duo take their highly ambitious screenplay and with just a shoestring budget, make it look easy. There are some extremely insane ideas in their script, as this is a sci-fi film through and through, but it’s so grounded in this gritty realism that sometimes you forget you’re watching a film about multiverses.

ITS ACTION-PACKED, EXCEPTIONALLY PERFORMED…

I can’t think of a recent film that has put me on the edge of my seat as much as Redux Redux. The action scenes are pulse-pounding, the tension is palpable, and there are some extremely brutal moments that are shockingly violent. My eyes were glued to the screen from beginning to end, I never checked my phone or even looked at the time… I was locked in. I think it also helps that this movie has an air of mystery surrounding it and you just want to learn more. How does this parallel-universe hopping work? Is there a universe where Irene’s daughter wasn’t murdered? Where did the serial killer hide all of the bodies? There’s just so many layers to the plot, there’s no chance that you would want to look away.

I also have to shout-out the acting, which is way above what one normally expects from a film in this genre. Michaela McManus, sister to the writer/directors of the film, is exceptional as Irene. She is a no-nonsense bad-ass that fucks this guy up from universe to universe. But, she’s also a woman grappling with intense grief and depression, completely worn out by this world, no matter which one she is in. She handles all of the complexities to this character with ease. I genuinely cared for Irene, and without that care, this film would not have worked. Indie Darling Jim Cummings also from The Block Island Sound, as well as The Beta Test and The Last Stop in Yuba County, is an integral supporting player here and if he shows up in a film… you know, almost certainly, that it’s going to be a banger.

…AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING.

Lastly, Redux Redux is also surprisingly deep. It tackles the idea of what happens when a person loses their humanity, someone who has become completely numb to violence and closed themselves off to the rest of the world, in a way that is thoroughly thought-provoking. It leaves the audience with the sort of questions that make you ponder where you stand in your humanity. And any movie that can make you pause and take a good hard look on your insides… is a winner in my book.

THIS IS A RECOMMENDATION FOR ANY LOVER OF CINEMA…

The McManus brothers have crafted a mean, brutal, nail-biting action film that is wrapped in a horrific serial killer thriller and then wrapped up again in a heady, profound sci-fi drama. Redux Redux is a bold, original vision that is so confidently made, you know from the get-go you are in the hands of master storytellers. I have no idea how they pulled this movie off, but holy shit, did they do the damn thing. I 100% recommend Redux Redux to any lover of cinema. Period.

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