Coherence hits select theaters on June 20th, and VOD August 5th.
I wish there was a world where you, the reader, had utmost faith in me and my opinion and would just take what I said as the utmost truth. In such a scenario I would instruct you to stop reading and go and see Coherence. Walk in knowing nothing more than what you know now. Trust me…do it.
Still here? Worth a shot… I first saw Coherence last September at Fantastic Fest here in Austin, knew nothing about it and was taken aback by the smart, confident and engrossing film that unfolded. So I happily revisited it for it’s theatrical and VOD release this week. On a night when a comet is due to pass overhead, eight friends meet for a reunion. As the dinner party party gets under way, wine flows, the friends reminisce, awkward “plus ones” heighten tension and conversation turns to the imminent celestial event. Stories are shared about weird phenomena associated with comet sightings in history just as the power goes out. A generator kicks in and they find all their cell phones cracked, phones and internet out and pitch darkness outside. The only light that can be seen is from another house at the end of the street. Setting out to see if the occupants have a working phone, they arrive at the house and peer inside only to see…themselves.
Retreating back to their house, the strange occurrences continue, knocks at the door with no one there, glasses breaking, people at the window; and there is the small matter of finding a box outside filled with random items from their house. The puzzle continues to unfold, time and place collide with frayed nerves as they all try to maintain a grasp on their situation. In a sense, the film mashes up a relationship drama with a complex sci-fi tale. What starts as a quirky oddity spirals into deeper mysteries and touches on some darker notes. A happy reunion turns somewhat sour as mistrust is seeded. Layers are stripped back, long simmering resentments of each other are amplified and secrets revealed. The guests find they don’t know each other as well as they thought and perhaps aren’t actually dealing with the person they thought they were at all.
The film starts a little talky to fill in the connections of a guest to quantum physicists, which allows them to piece together what is happening, but the film actually deals with this exposition pretty well, naturally leading into the meat of the story. That is where the film really engages you, leaving you at first trying to figure out what was going on and then, once the “rules” of the situation seem laid out, keeping track of what unfolds. It never frustrates; instead its characters and pacing keep you from hitting that wall.
The mystery behind what is happening seeds mistrust amongst the friends, events dredging up past relationships and conflicts between them. The cast are not particularly lovable, but are well realized and relatable. Largely unknowns, the only notable face is that of Nicholas Brendon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) which makes for a rather refreshing approach. You get to know the characters pretty well in a short space of time which is a testament to the writing, but also the cast. The latter deserves a lot of credit as those working in the film are largely improv actors, selected for this exact purpose as much of the film was improvised during filming. The fact the cast had never met each other before filming started makes their natural rapport all the more surprising.
It is an impressive directorial debut from James Ward Byrkit, not only deserving credit for the screenplay but also handling the outline of the film and working the actors around it to flesh it out. He gets such great performances, paces the film well, and ratchets up the suspense and tension while keeping things focused and intimate. Coherence clearly has a small (or possibly no) budget, but doesn’t restrict the film at all. This is perhaps the biggest compliment I can give to the director and all involved; putting together a dining room, 8 actors and a few household items to produce one of the smartest, most engaging movies of the year.
After viewing and reflecting upon Coherence, you cannot help but be impressed at how well and comprehensibly it executes such a clever idea. It is a very accomplished film that entertains and makes you think without dumbing down or sacrificing any intent. There is a lot to admire in the ambition and work from all involved. It is not big on stars, budget or effects but is big on ideas, and they are delivered superbly. If you were never interested in physics before, this film may change your mind, but at the very least, your concept of what makes for an interesting dinner party will never be the same again.