Lapsis (2020) User Reviews

A weirdly smart low-budget alternate universe sci-fi social satire, that doesn't deliver at the finish line

[Top_Dawg_Critic · 7/10 · 18 February 2021]

Documentary/short filmmaker Noah Hutton scored, wrote, edited and directed this genius little out-of-the-ordinary minimalist sci-fi gem. It's a weirdly smart, very low-budget alternate universe sci-fi social satire, that was so well directed, shot, scored and cast, you actually feel engaged that you're in this Nolan-esque parallel universe.

Dean Imperial's performance excellently portrayed that (alternate universe) 1980's blue-collar worker struggling to make ends meet, that's willing to take risks to get ahead. The upstate NY forest setting was well used and shot. What really impressed me was how perfect Hutton's score was. It was right up there with the eeriness sound in Christopher Nolan's Interstellar. Had his score not been that good, the viewer may have been unconvinced of this alternate universe, and that this was a simple cheaply done low budget film in a forest.

What sadly failed this film, was better/faster pacing, and a shorter runtime of its 108 mins, that felt much longer. There just wasn't enough substance to fill the runtime, and the pacing made it that much more aggravating. There were many irrelevant and long dragged out/unnecessary scenes, with plot and technical issues. What made it worse, is that Hutton did such a great job keeping you engaged and in suspense enough to hang on until the end, that ultimately failed to deliver anything satisfying to his audience to make the ending worth waiting for.

Nevertheless, it's a good one-time-viewing film. It may not be for everyone, and really, it wasn't for me, as I'm an adrenaline and action junkie, but I also do appreciate unique and great filmmaking, and Hutton delivered that - on a very low budget.

Promising .......

[nick-615-60770 · 7/10 · 9 December 2021]

The film ended earlier than I expected

In a good way I suppose as I was waiting for more. Does it need to be resolved or is it going on all around us.

If you don't get it then simply swap the cable laying for say driving an Uber or delivering parcels.

Great performances and the film certainly was very well produced, if it makes you think then I guess it worked as a movie.

Lapsis will still be considered a worthy cult film

[dmansel · 6/10 · 23 January 2022]

In an near-future verion of New York, a technological revolution has begun via quantum computing. To lay the network for this computing, however, still requires physical labor as miles of cabling must be laid down for the infrastructure. Enter Cablr, the company providing the opportunity for just that at suspiciously high rates. Ray Tincelli, skeptical of the new technology, is forced to obtain a shady permit and buy into it due to the increasingly unaffordable costs of his half brother's medical care.

A seemingly straightforward story of a man working hard to care for his family, the decision to interlace a mystery of who Lapsis is gives the movie depth and intrigue as Ray tries to work both problems at once. An obvious allegory for super companies like Amazon and Wal-Mart and their business practices as they pertain to how they treat their employees, Lapsis can be viewed as cautionary tale. The balance of power that begins to shift in the film could signal a herald in our own times due to the growing dissatisfaction of working conditions in America and abroad.

One of the strong suits of Lapsis is its lack of big name stars. To that end, Dean Imperial makes for a perfect lead in the film. As Ray, a man who's seemingly a step behind in life and constantly a step behind in figuring out the mystery of Lapsis, Imperial plays the perfect Vintage New Yorker. Ray takes advantages of the situations handed to him and isn't afraid to cause a little malfeasance when need be; with his affable easygoing nature and questionable fashion sense, he'd be right at home with the characters in The Sopranos. Still, Ray has a tenderness to him as well, especially in the treatment of his younger brother. Madeline Wise is excellent as Anna, the wily old vet of the company who links up with Ray about halfway into the movie. Strongly opinionated about the company, and capitalism in general, Anna serves as the moral compass for the film. Wise does great with the material she's given and the relationship between her and Imperial plays well and has a natural charm to it.

Written and directed by Noah Hutton, Lapsis makes every possible use of its limited budget to tell an intriguing, engaging story that touches on topics of class differential, corporate manipulation, and the strength of family bonds. Shot in a mere few weeks, the production and camerawork are commendable, bolstered by the behind the scenes featurette also included with the home release. Hutton keeps the pacing of the story moving at a nice clip; with a 108 minute runtime, the movie sails by, especially once Ray gets into the forest and starts laying cable.

Overall, Lapsis is a slickly told, entertaining film that utilizes the trappings of science fiction to tell a larger story of greed, both corporate and personal. At a time where the dangers of capitalism and exploitation of workers is becoming increasingly prevalent, Noah Hutton's story could be considered contemporary no matter what time period it was set in. Solid direction, solid acting, and a great use of a small budget ensures that while not making huge waves in the genre, Lapsis will still be considered a worthy cult film. If you're looking for a sci-fi movie that's a bit off the beaten trail, Lapsis is available on digital and home release on May 11th.

Nice try, but could be better

[jesse-846-720503 · 6/10 · 5 December 2021]

The concept of the story was really innovative with lots of commentary on gig economy workers. And how they're often taken advantage of. But I think much of the film was supposed to be satire. And if it was, it failed at making that clear. There were so many absurdities and plot holes that would have been fine if it was clear that it was satire. But it was always hard to tell.

Coincidentally, the week before seeing this, I watched Ordinary People (one of my favorite films) from 1980. It starred a young Timothy Hutton, who would go on to be the father of the director of this movie. Small world.

Ultimately, a nice try. But it needs a tone that's a little more clear.

Prime delivery.

[morrison-dylan-fan · 7/10 · 17 June 2021]

Viewing the trailers for the online Grimmfest film festival,I was interested in how off-beat this movie appeared,in comparison to the rest of the line-up,which led to me laying down the cable.

View on the film:

Cleverly going for a parallel present,rather than future, in order to keep the sci-Fi technology grounded in realism, composer/editor/writer/director Noah Hutton & cinematographer Mike Gomes post an earthy low-key atmosphere shining from the sun shimmering on the leaves as elegant tracking shots track Ray (played by Dean Imperial in a wonderful debut film performance) laying down cable, with the buzz and red lights of the machines keeping track of his work never far behind.

Taking on a new gig in order to cover the medical bills of his brother,the screenplay by Hutton records a biting commentary on the gig economy against a satirical dystopia Sci-Fi backdrops of apps punishing anyone who does not meet their targets,with the company pushing for each of them to become worker drones who lay down the cable without any opportunity being given for them to take a break.

Entering with a rather single-minded outlook that makes excuses for the low pay and poor conditions the company treats its workers to, Hutton unrolls breezy comedic Mumblecore dialogue that links Ray closer to his co-workers, and overcomes the obstacles the company places around them, in order to make their new gig be the forming of a union.

Intriguing, original, relevant

[ian-dodkins · 7/10 · 28 April 2021]

Ok, so it's a scifi, but really it's a commentary on how technology controls humans for work and every day life. Coming from the UK, the country with the highest surveillance in the world, as well as having the situation off being unfairly charged 20,000 dollars for an education course that was supposed to be free, and which contributed to me leaving the UK because I could only ever talk to call center guys that new nothing, it seemed very relevant and powerful.

But back to the film. The characters are great, the story build intrigue and it was an original concept. Glad I watched it. Not great for action and it's not futuristic. Some avenues of the plot seemed unexplored, but I recommend it to educated adults, especially cynical adults. Definitely not for kids and not a fun movie. Could have been dull if the actors had been rubbish, but they weren't.

Watch this if you are interested in the effects modern society has on us, and like scifi which is a commentary on modern times. Original and really quite daring to so such a film which doesn't revolve around holywood cliches nor is arty or avante guarde.

Excellent Start But Then Lapses!

[heratyplant · 5/10 · 14 February 2021]

An amazing & engaging start, something weird is going on here & I enjoyed the journey with our lead, Ryan Reynolds', slightly chubby older brother.

The world building is interesting & is definitely intriguing up to one hour, but then it starts to wander about & you start wondering will there be a pay off, which there isn't.

It feels like there's an impending Orwellian, dystopian horror in hour one, but it's rather heavy handed social commentary, inviting dangerous tech into our lives, cruel mega corps bleeding the sick dry, we're all like worker ants, take your pick. With some indulgent, unnecessary plot points that stretch the viewers concentration, you realise by the end that it runs about 15 minutes too long.

Some great ideas, but as with anything quantum, it can be hard to see the point.

A winner despite all my objections

[naq-1 · 9/10 · 12 March 2021]

The Writer-Director of Lapsis, Noah Hutton, is the savvy heir to the throne of Tim Hutton and Debra Winger, two of the Hollywood elite of the last generation. Therefore, it should by all means disqualify him from achieving any success as a Writer or Director. I should write a negative review just in the hope of stopping him from taking on a bigger and more influential presence in the film industry.

In this case, however, he is redeemed substantially by providing us with an original concept, a well-written screenplay, unknown cast and a troubling alternative universe. None of this should have happened, but because it did, Noah Hutton deserves praise for a job well done and congratulations for his bright future in this industry.

In another life, Noah might have played his parents' connections to the extent that the result would have been worthless. However, he has exceeded that level of achievement and is the pleasant recipient of an indescribable satisfaction, the kind of result that comes from a deep understanding of the nuances of story and directing, a rare achievement for a young person of any lineage.

Since I had no preconceived notions about the storyline, I went into this blindly, and was amazed that I felt as compelled as I did to follow the main plot to the end. Although none of the actors was recognizable, everyone performed their roles well, and every word that was uttered seems to have been arrived at naturally.

The basis of the story is that there is a technology known as "quantum computing" that is similar in some way to 5G and the population is similarly paranoid about it as many are about 5G towers. The way the Quantum tech is executed is through having ordinary people string cables through miles of wilderness areas to provide the access to the so-called "quantum" technology and it is up to desperate people to run the miles of cable through the wilderness to various cubes of this unknown technology -- again, very similar to 5G, albeit much more insidious.

The central character, RAY, is a chubby schulb who is hired to run cable through miles of forest, and finds out halfway through that he has been given a false name to use on the job which causes everyone to distrust him. Thus, the mystery is born. What is the significance of the name? What is the hidden cost of the technology? He undertakes a mission with a high payout, to run cables for many miles, and is slowly educated by a woman he meets on the trail named Anna, who reveals some part of the mystery what the name he was given really means.

All through the screenplay we are left trying to decode the various clues that are dropped without much success, until we reach the point where several loose threads are tied together near the end. There is a moment of triumph, but in the back of our minds, the triumph is very much a false one. The corporate entities that are the villains of the story are there, and. as in real life, they have a stranglehold on the brave new world of Lapsis.

Honestly, a let-down.

[BeerLover_ · 6/10 · 16 February 2021]

First off, I really anticipated this movie. The original sci-fi story, execution and atmosphere is top notch I got to admit.

Great acting by the lead actor too which I read it was only his second movie credit. Absolutely killed it!

Throughout the movie there's this constant scary atmospheric sound which makes you think that there will be some twist, grand revealing, or conclusion at the end. That didn't happen, and instead we got a social commentary about corporate greed and basically the argument for workers unions. Which was disappointing to me (I have nothing against those arguments though). I just really thought there was going to be something more at the end. That's all.

Goes nowhere in the end.

[oldvinyl · 4/10 · 13 February 2021]

I watch almost anything SF. Lapsis disappointed me on several levels. Basically it is a story about pyramid selling. You're probably familiar with the idea: money isn't made by honestly selling a product, but instead, by recruiting an ever growing number of other "sales people" who are required to first buy stock before they join. Amway, Swipe. many others work like this. The star wants to buy expensive treatment for his brother's chronic fatigue condition but the viewer can easily conclude that his brother is a useless layabout. This makes me think the star is a simpleton. Then he gets sucked into a pyramid selling scheme based on cabling optical fibre. For me, this was the worst, most stupid part, because I used to be a project manager in a fibre optic comms company. And the tech aspects were just complete and total nonsense. I will spare you the details. So for me, the "McGuffin" was nonsensical and didn't work. The acting was quite decent so I managed to watch it to the end and ... it just faded away.

We are in the ''Technological Dark Ages'...

[Chinesevil · 8/10 · 30 August 2021]

We are in the ''Technological Dark Ages'... the past was better, and today everything is lower quality-less rights...very interesting movie.

a surreal and enjoyable experience

[LetsReviewThat26 · 6/10 · 8 July 2022]

Lapsis is one of those films that makes you think. One that will be a classic in time due to its quirkiness and story. The normal story of a many named ray who joins a mysterious company that pulls cables for the quantum computer. It starts off normal until he starts to notice things and unravels a mystery that drives you deep. The cast and director both did great. Its a well written and acted film that although strange it makes fun a fun watch.

Strange

[nimitz541 · 2/10 · 12 February 2021]

This felt like one of those short sci-fi films that Dust produces but made into a feature length film. It left a lot of holes in the story, but in all, it was pretty ok for a low budget sci film. The acting was not too horrible, but the story could have used some work. It's worth 1 watch if you're bored, but beyond that, no.

It ends, but does it really have an ending?!

[justahunch-70549 · 6/10 · 27 May 2023]

Not the easiest thing to review. It's really frustrating to get through an entire film only to come to a conclusion that one either doesn't understand or just doesn't make sense. Considering many of the reviews on here, it doesn't appear that I am alone with the finale puzzlement. I don't know when this takes place, though everything seems "today" with landlines and cell phones and normal vehicles, but it sure plays like futuristic sci-fi about, of all things, gig workers being taken advantage of. These workers are literally pulling cables through forests to connect to a new kind of computing technology. It's a very unusual, original & intelligent film with a cast of unknowns who all give honest and very real performances starting with the lead, Dean Imperial. It's well made and looks good especially for a low budget film. There 's a lot of real life family connections running through this that you can read about here. Talent clearly runs in the family. Still, as I said at the beginning, this oddity is ultimately a frustrating experience due to that obscure ending, though I'm sure writer/director Noah Hutton knows what it means. Shame he didn't let us in.

Interesting Idea for Low Budget Social Commentary, but the Storytelling is Sloppy

[davejones · 6/10 · 28 February 2021]

This film is well directed and acted. Very convincing, naturalistic performances. The film looks pretty good, too. I'd hire Noah Hutton as a director in a heartbeat.

The problem, as usual, lies with the script. I can live with the story inconsistencies, such as if these robots are so good at laying cable, why is the company even bothering to hire people? And why are they identifying people who have sabotaged the robotic cable layers through their DNA? So, wear gloves when you smash one of them with a rock. Seems to me that a much bigger problem would be that the human cable layers are being tracked through GPS every step of the way, so it would be pretty obvious who had crossed paths with a droid moments before it was wrecked or disappeared.

Also, the notion of "laying cable" by draping it all over the landscape, completely unprotected or buried is ludicrous--which, if the rest of the story had been pushed a little more definitely into the realm of absurdity, wouldn't have been a problem.

The real problem with this movie is that all of the obstacles placed in the path of the protagonists are just too easily overcome. They're never developed or escalated. Instead, they're dispatched with almost as soon as they arise.

I admit that I didn't understand entirely what some of those problems were. The main character has been issued some kind of bogus, existing account which causes him to be overpaid for his services. But I didn't quite understand how that led to him owing the people who secured the account for him money. Nor did I understand what any of that had to do with his credit card being declined. And I guess that it's just a happy coincidence that this doctor who originally programmed the cable-laying droids and built in a kill switch then went on to develop teas that will cure the protagonist's brother's condition. . . ?

This is what I mean when I say that the problems that arise are just too easily resolved. Also, an early scene in which the protagonist's van is duplicated, suggesting that the quantum computing network is producing some kind of quantum effects in everyday reality is never really paid off. Or did I just imagine that?

There are plenty of good ideas in this movie, but the story and drama are weak.

This is the type of story in which, initially, everything should look quite rosy (Hey, I've got a great new job just when I need it, I'm getting exercise and fresh air, and I'm being grossly overpaid) and then, as things progress, there's some larger, darker undercurrent that becomes apparent. There's always "a catch."

But it's obvious right from the beginning that a) the main character's account is a fake and that b) the cable layers are being exploited. There is no revelation beyond these, except for the handy solution to the droids being that they have a built-in kill switch. Phew. Problem solved.

Workers of the world, unite (in stupidity)

[imdb-20212 · 6/10 · 23 May 2021]

First off, I found the movie interesting. Weird concept, reflection of the gig economy, etc. The main character seemed a little dimwitted, as in slow to catch on to things going on around him or involving him, but whatever.

The message though seemed strange... So a bunch of (lazy?) workers band together. They fear their jobs being automated, so in return they demand *more* benefits, less hours, etc? That sounds like a recipe for companies wanting to automate it even more if you ask me (which nobody did, but there it is).

But then again, that actually is a very interesting point to make, because that actually does happen. People who are worried about losing their jobs to outsourcing, automation, whatever... curiously they face those fears by making themselves more of a nuisance.

I think of the fast food workers who worry about automation in their environment, and also ask for a higher minimum wage. Wait until they find out the real minimum wage is $0.00 because they lost their job to a burger flipping robot. So instead of getting a raise, they get fired. Great.

Anyway, that was my takeaway, from a free market perspective.

why the high scores???because of cheesy low teck sci fi and 90s electronics feel?

[surfisfun · 5/10 · 14 March 2021]

The Main actor voice and presence carry the movie. The laying of the cheap cable is ridiculous in concept and reality. I guess it is a sort of low budget absurd movie. it does have its moments. But i feel that the high score reviews do not explain well how low budget quirky absurd the movie is actually.Soundtrack is proper and balance. i like quirky ideas. movie finale is not rewarding.

Enjoyable and engaging

[alyoshadave · 8/10 · 13 February 2021]

I also watch almost anything SF. Problem is, most ostensible SF is SF in name only, what used to be disparaged as "sci-fi" in the SF community.

True SF is about ideas, not just mindless action sheathed in sci-fi trimmings. That is why, even with the compulsion to watch almost anything that may possibly be SF, we are mostly disappointed, so much so that being disappointed becomes the default expectation.

So, indeed, Lapsis surprisingly exceeds these expectations. It takes an idea and runs with it. That it may not comport "realistically" with actual cable laying is beside the point. We explore the "idea" and its ramifications, and this exploration is enjoyable and engaging.

That is what SF is about...so perhaps being pleasantly surprised in this manner inflates the rating a little bit, but if the grading is on a curve, it is well-deserved.

Basic Sci-Fi reflecting our current society

[lantern4444 · 6/10 · 5 September 2021]

The Sci-Fi component in this movie is extremely basic. The ensuing drama which evolves around this idea is equally as soft. A man in a low paying job looking after his sick brother is enticed to work for a new company based on innovative technology. The movie then ends up being a battle between the employers and the technology company.

This went downhill rapidly

[valleyjohn · 4/10 · 30 January 2022]

My heart sinks when I read that a film is dystopian. That usually means that not a lot makes sense and the dystopian tag is the excuse for that . Sadly that's definitely the case with Lapsis.

Struggling to support himself and his ailing younger brother, delivery man Ray takes a strange job in a strange new realm of the gig economy.

The first hour of this film , while weird , wasn't bad . I enjoyed the performance of Dean Imperial who played Ray and his journey into cabelling . The whole concept was wacky and really didn't make a lot of sense but I went along with it . It's only in the last third when they tried to dig deeper into the company that I started to drift off and get bored .

In fact I was that bored that I only watched it last night and I can't remember the ending already!!

If you want an interesting dystopian movie then I suggest you go and watch Blade Runner again and give this film a wide birth .

Hope for a new generation

[parafilms · 9/10 · 14 February 2021]

Why did I give this a 9? It gave me such hope for a new generation of directors. The film is unashamed of its small budget, embracing the limitations, weaving it into the fabric of the film. And it has something to say about the world and where it is heading. It is serious, quirky, funny and original. Loved the music, as well. It was like another character. I can't wait to see where this director will go next.

sometime in the future....

[ksf-2 · 7/10 · 23 January 2024]

A family project! Written and directed by noah hutton. And his family members babe and arliss are both in it as well! When his brother needs to be in a clinic for some unspeciified reason, ray takes a job as a cabler. But he finds out it's not as easy as he thought, and it seems to be pretty dog eat dog out there in the wild! His peers lie, cheat, steal. His own employee gadget seems to have a shady past. And maybe just having it may get him in serious trouble. Ray meets up with a group trying to band together against the big monopoly, which doesn't care about the workers. Can he trust this group of workers? It's really good. Although you really have to pay attention to catch what's going on right at the end....

Seriously? WTF was THAT!

[nikoskont · 3/10 · 14 February 2021]

I bet my left lung that any review above 3 is by people related to that movie!!!

The only reason i gave 3 is because of the forest, otherwise the whole movie didnt go anywhere specifically. Didnt make much sense and if did it was so boring that missed it.

I suggest watch mold growing, would be more interesting.

Low budget Sci-fi gem!

[icocleric · 7/10 · 20 December 2023]

I had no idea this was a low budget film whilst watching it, because it was overall extremely well done, and the actors put on a really great performance. The cinematography was really nice too.

I love Sci-fi that takes technology that could be in our near dystopian future, and adds a social commentary on stuff we are facing, and could face in the near future, and this does that well. I love that any health and safety is swiftly brushed off.

I felt it ended a bit soon, like something should come next. But at the same time I felt the editing and pacing could have been a bit better early on. But it has some very interesting idea, and things to say that kept me engaged.

what no ending

[truthsee · 6/10 · 1 January 2024]

Promising but end ubruptly when we havent reached a full conclusion. It seems like something that just ran out of money. It really didnt make much sense without an ending.

I liked the concept and the cinematography and characters were well played and I wast starting to enjoy the story and just starting to get a hope that the characters would have some sort of ending but about 10 threads of story line were left unfinished when the movie credits started to roll. I wondered if this was a series and there was a part2 but sadly there was not. I cannot understand why you would finish a movie half way through a story arc.