Self/Less Movie Review (Spoiler Free)

If you were rich and about to die, would you take the opportunity to transfer your mind to another body, without knowing where it came from? Self/Less asks exactly those questions wrapped in insane and thrilling action. 

Genre: Action / Sci-Fi / Thriller

Director: Tarsem Singh

Cast: Sir Ben Kingsley, Ryan Reynolds, Matthew Goode, Natalie Martinez, Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen, Victor Garber, Derek Luke, Melora Hardin, Sam Page & Michelle Dockery.

Run Time: 116 min.

US Release: 10 July 2015

UK Release: 17 July 2015

German Release: 20 August 2015

Damian Hale (Kingsley), an extremely wealthy business tycoon, is diagnosed with terminal cancer. He is approached by scientist Professor Albright (Goode), who informs him of a secret medical procedure called “shedding”, which transfers a person's consciousness into a new, healthy body. Damian accepts Albright’s offer and wakes up in a new, young, healthy body (Reynolds), but not everything is as it seems, as he starts to uncover the origin of his new shell. Soon, he discovers that Albright is willing to go to extreme lengths to keep his invention a secret.

I finally managed to write my review for Self/Less after watching it nearly two weeks ago. Most of you will probably think this is a rather late review, but what you need to know is that this sci-fi thriller only arrived in German cinemas at the end of August. Tarsem Singh, the director behind The Cell, The Fall, Immortals and Mirror Mirror, helms Self/Less.

This late summer sci-fi flick isn’t perfect, but it managed to entertain me, and I genuinely had a good time at the theatre. Still, I wouldn’t recommend rushing out to see it on the big screen. Instead, I’d wait for the Blu-ray (or DVD) release. It is an enjoyable, light sci-fi thriller that is worth owning, but not quite worth the time and money invested for the cinema.

Upon its release, the movie received generally negative reviews from film critics, holding a 20% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 119 reviews. It was criticised for failing to fully capitalise on its intriguing premise. 

In my opinion, while certainly not fantastic, Self/Less is still entertaining as a sci-fi thriller that managed to capture my attention. It boasts a fantastic cast and, although Singh never fully embraces the full potential to turn this into a true cerebral science-fiction film, it did make me think about a future in which the rich and the powerful could literally become immortal. 

------------------------------------------------WARNING-------------------------------------------------------If you intend to watch this movie, avoid the trailers at all costs. It’s essentially a three-minute summary of the entire plot and will spoil much of the experience.  ___________________________________________________________________

This sci-fi flick is a mixed bag, but I still had a great time watching it. One of its strongest aspects is the central concept. While the premise is not entirely original; it clearly draws inspiration from the 1966 mystery film Seconds, it still feels innovative in its own way. The idea that wealthy business moguls can transfer their mind from a sick and dying body into a younger one raises fascinating ethical questions.

The movie flirts with cerebral science fiction without ever fully embracing the sub-genre, but it still has those moments that got me thinking about repercussions that come with the procedure of “shedding” and the side effects of becoming immortal. I also found the fast pacing to be a strength, keeping the audience engaged throughout its runtime.

There are quite a few negatives as well, such as the rushed opening sequence. I wanted to spend more time with the character of Damian Hale before he began his new life. The film also lacks depth; it does open up paths that could have developed into a cerebral sci-fi story, but it never develops those ideas. It’s a shame Singh doesn’t embrace these ethical and philosophical dilemmas presented by the premise.

What truly annoyed me, however, was how often the narrative drifted away from the main storyline. It takes too long to find its way back, causing the audience to lose sight of what Self/Less is actually about. It also relies on several convenient twists to justify the course the flick takes. 

On a positive note, the picture features a solid cast of characters. All across the board are strong. I only wished for a little more screen time from Sir Ben Kingsley, as the backstory of the older Damian Hale feels somewhat rushed. 

Reynolds is excellent as Damian / Edward / Mark. He convincingly portrays Damian’s gradual transformation, and I genuinely sympathised with his internal conflict once he discovered the truth behind his new body. The one thing I would have liked to see was a little shock (or surprise) at his military muscle memory, just to Jesse Eisenberg’s reaction in American Ultra.

Matthew Goode is fantastic as the obsessed scientist willing to do anything to protect his work and keep it secret. Natalie Martinez is good as Mark’s wife, Madeleine, while Jaynee-Lynne Kinchen, though given a smaller role, is charming and serves her purpose well in the movie. 

Like the screenplay, the cinematography is something of a mixed bag. The striking visual composition inside Damian’s penthouse scenes at the beginning, are among the picture’s strongest images in the whole film. The vast, empty rooms were cleverly used as metaphors for Damian’s loneliness of his former life. The vibrant, bright colours plus the beautiful lighting further strengthens the visual presentation.

Unfortunately, there are also aspects that disappointed me, especially considering Singh’s previous work. Once Damian obtains his new body, the cinematography becomes far more conventional, as seen in most movies. While it is never bad, remaining visually enjoyable, that artistic style from the beginning gives way to rather standard action camerawork. 

Verdict: Self/Less was surprisingly difficult to review because, despite its obvious flaws, I genuinely enjoyed it. While both the screenplay and cinematography become fairly conventional as the story progresses, the fascinating premise, strong performances, intriguing characters and well-designed world kept me invested throughout. Singh might not have realised the flick’s full potential, yet he delivers an entertaining sci-fi thriller. I give Self/Less a 6.0 out of 10. 

Have you watched Self/Less yet? If so, what was your experience with this unusual sci-fi thriller? Did you enjoy it? My next review on American Ultra will be posted tomorrow, Wednesday.