The Shift (2023) Film Review
Science fiction has always been the place to go for filmmakers who don’t exactly know the shape of an idea. Anything can come out of a brainstorming session with oneself, and in the genre everything’s allowed. Such is the case of Brock Heasley, writer and director of The Shift. It all started eight years ago, when Heasley tragically lost his father. Grieving aroused him to take a camera and make a short film for a couple hundred dollars, which ultimately made a few heads turn. A production studio approached him and helped him make the short in a feature film that, without a doubt, has all the heart of Heasley’s original idea. And while the film is far from perfect, it’s still an interesting approach to the genre.
The Shift tells the story of Kevin, an unfortunate guy who one day meets the perfect woman at a bar. They hit it off, and while the film doesn’t expand on this, we can see that they form a family of some kind. However, an accident brings Kevin face to face with a guy simply known as The Benefactor. He has powers and he will let Kevin know this. Quickly, we learn Kevin is transported to a different reality in a different dimension. But like it happens in films that involved multiverses, Kevin knows everyone around, including some people that will help him see his wife is around. Only The Benefactor doesn’t care, and will stop Kevin from reuniting if it’s possible.
At least, it’s what I was able to gather from the very complex film. You almost need a guide to understand what’s going on with Kevin’s reality as he’s able to jump back and forth but not at will. It’s the film’s convenient script that lets him navigate a territory that perhaps is understood by Heasley, but some viewers will suffer to completely understand. It doesn’t help that the sound mixing doesn’t help you clearly hear some of the dialogues.
However, The Shift is a character-driven sci-fi thriller with heavy doses of drama. This means performances are essential and Heasley is fortunate enough to have very good actors participating in his idea of a film. Kristoffer Polaha leads the film with the dramatic skill he got after walking around the halls of the Hallmark Channel several times. Neal McDonough is fantastic as The Benefactor and Heasley’s script really makes you think how McDonough isn’t more prolific. Sean Astin and John Billingsley are also great in very secondary roles.
The Shift is very well-shot, and has high production value. Special effects are solid, and the genre rules are followed upon. It’s only the story and the way is told that will make you scratch your head a few times and probably rewind if possible. Nevertheless, you can’t help but feel that the film is made with heart and passion. The premise is reflected repeatedly and at some point you wish the film would just stop and be contemplative about its general message. One that’s definitely much more relevant that sci-fi tropes, “multiversing”, and cool effects. In the end, you’ll get Heasley’s message. Too loudly and not very clearly, but it’s there, and it represents the result of a filmmaking achievement that should be celebrated.
