A worthwhile new entry in the grand tradition of Rod Serling.
This new sci-fi thriller may not be one of the most ambitious of offerings at 2018’s Fantasia Fest, but it surprisingly turns into one of most gripping. Taking a page straight from Rod Serling, writer/director Justin McConnell’s latest offering tells the story of Drew (Bill Oberst Jr.), a man whose spirit is destined to shapeshift from one living body to another. Drew spends his days occupying the bodies of random individuals and his nights observing the beautiful, but troubled Julia (Lora Burke), with whom he’d had a meaningful encounter with years ago. When the nature of his condition forces him to change bodies more quickly than usual, Drew realizes his days may finally be numbered.
From a narrative standpoint, Lifechanger has plenty going for it. McConnell manages to inject some real human sensibilities to the point where the audience cannot help but root for the main character, even after he collects victim after victim. The reason for this is because we can see just how much of a hell Drew is in. This is not someone who kills to kill, but instead kills to literally exist. There’s a maddening energy flowing throughout every minute of Lifechanger. As an audience, we feel Drew’s never ending torment of being stuck in the in-between; having to constantly adopt new personalities while holding onto his own. Solid characterization on behalf of the script’s part ensures that the audience knows Drew and can see him regardless of whatever body he inhabits. The best of these have to be the scenes with Julia, where the character’s true essence comes out as does the story’s overall poetic tragedy. Acting-wise, the amateur cast does their best ,but it’s Burke who takes Lifechanger to a greater emotional level. The film also manages to maintain just the right amount of pacing and action, knowing just when to amp up the thrills and suspense and for how long. Had this been a grander effort with more expense to spare, perhaps more time would have been given to Drew’s past and what led him to his condition. While both are acknowledged, more exploration would have certainly been welcomed, especially where the heartbreaking finale is concerned. As it stands however, the combination of action and story cannot help but make Lifechanger a wholly unique sci-fi thriller piece which also manages a beautiful noir stain.
