Cinepocalypse 2018: EMPATHY, INC. Review – Emotion And Mystery Come Together In This Reality
Michael Pementel
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Starring Zack Robidas, Kathy Searle, Jay Klaitz
Written by Mark Leidner
Directed by Yedidya Gorsetman
Empathy, Inc. makes for a mysterious and dramatic addition to this year’s Cinepocalypse. The story follows an investor at a virtual reality startup who discovers that the company and its technology are not what they seem. In a day and age where technology (and VR in particular) is evolving, Empathy, Inc. makes for a timely film with thrilling mystery.
Right away the film dives into exposition, providing the details into how our main character Joel lost his job. He eventually meets up with an old friend who invites him to invest in Empathy, Inc. Joel learns that not only is the technology powerful, but that it allows clients to experience underprivileged situations. By immersing people in a virtual world that feels real, they can walk in someone else’s shoes, and come back to their life with more appreciation.
Joel tests out the technology before deciding to invest. Upon entering VR, the camera shifts into a first-person perspective (when we are looking through the eyes of Joel). In this point of view vision is condensed and the sound is muffled. The camera will shift back into third person during these sequences as well, allowing us to see the person that Joel is inhabiting.
The buildup of mystery throughout the picture is intriguing and will keep viewers wondering what is instore. We see Joel become excited by the technology at first, but then he begins to hear and notice small details that are out of place. The twist behind the VR is pleasantly grim and brings a whole new dynamic to the story.
The vibe of Empathy, Inc. is similar to titles like Primer and Pi; especially considering there is this underlining sense of something eventually to go wrong as the story progresses. The picture is shot in black and white, providing a crisp quality to each frame. It also adds an ominous mood throughout the film; the lighting is superb and draws out the emotion on each character’s face.
At times characters will say things that are a little on the nose when it comes to commentary about technology and class privilege. This brings an element of cheese into the story, but doesn’t hurt the overall experience. On that note, Empathy, Inc. is more about enjoying it for its story rather than investing in its characters. While the plot itself is interesting, the characters primarily serve just to push the story forward.
Overall, Empathy, Inc. is a unique dramatic thriller with a well-paced mystery component. Tension continues to build with each passing scene, leading to an emotional conclusion. If you are looking for a film that will keep you in the dark and engaged, this is worth checking out. Besides the lack of character depth, Empathy, Inc. is an intense film that will absorb you right from the beginning.
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Empathy, Inc.
Summary
Empathy, Inc. makes for an engaging dramatic thriller with great elements of mystery. If you seek a story laced with obscurity and somber mood, Empathy, Inc. is a trip worth experiencing.
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