Drama / sci-fi / soft horror. It looks fantastic. Sounds fantastic. But it's just soooo ambitious it sort of crumples beneath the weight of it's own determination.

Youngster Aubrey is grieving for the loss of her best friend. Throughout the film we see her state of mind question everything, ask for forgiveness and come to terms with death, and the apocalypse. First time Director Al White does a very decent job considering his day job is being in a band. He also wrote the screenplay and provided the score. Presumably he chose the music needle drops too as there are some fine entries (Granddaddy, Sigur Ros etc) The set design and shot composition really is something to write home about. Cinematographer Alberto Bañares does a great job of putting us inside Aubrey's head. Some of the scenery and images really reminded me of 'Buster's Mal Heart' . It's like a Brit Marling / Shane Carruth mashup film.

The problem is, the connection between the sci-fi and the reality was too much of a jump. The last act is tough to follow and make sense of. Plus there are a few predictable jump scares. There are metaphors about metaphors, and one massive meta moment, that made me say WTF out loud.

That said, while this might not be the most straightforward film, it is more interesting and curious than alot being made. So I hope the Director does more as he clearly has talent. And the little turtle guy is really cute. Want one.

6.2/10