eXistenZ

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Ola G In the year 2030, ultra-sustainable biotechnological devices have replaced unsustainable electronic ones. Game pods present "UmbiCords" that attach to "bio-ports", connectors surgically inserted into players' spines. Two game companies, Antenna Research and Cortical Systematics, compete against each other. In addition, a group of fanatics called Realists fight both companies, decrying the "deforming" of reality by virtual reality games. World renowned game designer Allegra Geller (Jennifer Jason Leigh) demonstrates Antenna Research's latest virtual reality game, eXistenZ, to a focus group. The demonstration is disrupted by a Realist named Noel Dichter, who shoots Allegra with an organic pistol he smuggled past security. As Dichter is gunned down, security guard and publicist Ted Pikul (Jude Law) escorts Geller outside. Geller discovers that her pod, which contains the only copy of eXistenZ, may have been damaged. Pikul reluctantly agrees to have a bio-port installed in his spine so they can jointly test the game's integrity. Allegra takes him to a gas station run by a black-marketeer named Gas (Willem Dafoe), who deliberately installs a faulty bio-port into Pikul's spine. He reveals his intention to kill Geller for the bounty on her head, but Pikul kills Gas. The two lie low at a former ski lodge used by Geller's mentor Kiri Vinokur (Ian Holm), who repairs the damaged pod and gives Pikul a new bio-port. Testing the game, Geller and Pikul meet D'Arcy Nader, who provides them with new "micro pods," enabling them to enter a deeper layer of virtual reality... The film received generally positive reviews. Rotten Tomatoes critical consensus reads, "Gooey, slimy, grotesque fun. Roger Ebert gave the film three stars out of four in his review of the film, noting its release after fellow science-fiction film The Matrix. He compared the two films, stating that while both have special effects, Cronenberg's film was stranger along with having his best effects involve "gooey, indescribable organic things". Conversely, James Berardinelli gave the film a two out of four star rating in his review. He cites that the film had a "disjointed feel", and called it a "missed opportunity" that suffered from being released near The Matrix and Open Your Eyes, which he states did similar things that were accomplished better in those films. (Via Wikipedia) It was time to re-see "Existenz", I saw it back when it came out and I haven't seen it since. This is a classic David Cronenberg film building on the body horror genre exploring visceral bodily transformation and also infectious diseases, and the intertwining of the psychological, physical, and technological. The storyline is intriguing and the following weirdness with bio-ports installed in spines that connects to organic strange game pods. But, then it becomes an unclear trip of who is who and which reality is which. I felt that the acting was unbalanced and at times too theatrical and not fully convincing. We do get a great ensemble cast. Of course there's plenty of grossness that you always expect from Cronenberg, something that I need to process when I see his films. "Existenz" is not amongst Cronenberg´s best ones, but as said the storyline is quite intriguing and maybe this sort of VR gaming will be the actual reality in a not too distant future. Trivia: The film's plot came about after Cronenberg conducted an interview with Salman Rushdie for Shift magazine in 1995. At the time, Rushdie was in hiding due to a fatwa having been put on his life, due to his controversial book The Satanic Verses. Rushdie's dilemma gave Cronenberg an idea of "a Fatwa against a virtual-reality game designer". The film received mostly positive reviews upon release. Cronenberg was awarded a Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution at the 49th Berlin International Film Festival for the film. (Via Wikipedia) Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 05/11/25 Full Review Chief B I like this kind of psychological, body horror scifi movies. This one reminds me a lot of videodrome mixed with crimes of the future with some addotional layers. Great and if you ask me underrated Cronenberg flick. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/01/25 Full Review Landon J Another fine take on the "matrix" formula. Multi layered "eXistenZial" analysis doesn't stop this from having it's rather boring stretches. Points for imaginative-ness and creepy scifi tech. Unfortunate that DaFoe didn't play a character with more screentime... Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 04/13/25 Full Review Chris B This movie ruined the Matrix for me. They came out about the same time I chose to see this one in the theatre instead. Later saw the Matrix, thought this one was far more clever and thought provoking. the Matrix is special effects laden but not a thinker by comparison. Cronenburg's best I think. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/31/25 Full Review Farah R I can usually get behind Cronenberg's wild and twisted imagination, but this one just wasn't for me. EXistenZ was too weird and chaotic for my taste despite the excellent performances. Rated 1/5 Stars •  Rated 1 out of 5 stars 10/11/24 Full Review Test T I watched this on DVD recently. It's quite a strange sci-fi film, and certainly pushes the boundaries of our imaginations. The main theme however, of asking what is real and what is not is a very old one which features in many films. What makes this film stand out is it's organic style and approach. Personally, I found the film more unsettling than entertaining due to the unplesant nature of the technology and the gore that came with it. I like my tech to be inanimate and clean which this is certainly not. The other problem I had with the film was that I found it very difficult to believe the story, and to invest in the film's reality. At times it became so rediculous that it appeared more like an improv' show where the actors were being forced to play roles they had only become aware of minutes before. In summary, it is novel but I did not enjoy it and can't recommend it. Rated 1.5/5 Stars •  Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 09/07/24 Full Review Read all reviews

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