I really loved this film. I watched it on a whim after seeing a hyperbolically laudatory review on twitter and while it is clearly a low budget film with multiple limitations, I was charmed by its humor and just how clever all the set ups were. The dialogue was phenomenal. It is whip smart and fast paced. I would say it is impossible to be bored by this film. The lead performances are incredibly special. I'm not sure how neither of these performers are big stars yet, but I think that is on the horizon for them. The overall tone of the film was so unique. It was like Monty Python doing an episode of Black Mirror. And "episode" is maybe the operative word because at just 68 minutes, Backwards Faces does not overstay its welcome. It is short, sweet, and to the point. Those less adept in microbudget indie film watching may have complaints, but I think after three minutes, you'll forget all that as you fall into the trance of the dialogue, performances, and mind bending philosophical science fiction.
12 Reviews
This would make for a fun stage play on college campuses.
trinaboice31 October 2023
IN A NUTSHELL:
Here's the summary from the studio:
After waking from a meaningless one-night stand, theoretical physicist Sydney (Lennon Sickels) wants to leave but cannot help but stay when her mysterious and aloof one-night partner, Ken (Andrew Morra), claims he is from a different universe. Theoretical physics becomes a lot less theoretical when Ken tells her the solution to all life's problems exists within the alleged traversable wormhole through space and time in his bathroom. Self-loathing is taken to a new extreme when Sydney and Ken are forced to reckon with the very worst of their other selves from across the multiverse.
THINGS I LIKED: The cerebral film was written, directed, and produced by Chris Aresco. Congrats to him on his many award nominations. He has done work in both film and TV.
I had never seen either actor in anything before this two-hander. Lennon Sickels and Andrew Morra have great potential. You might recognize Andrew for his performance in Season 9 of FX's American Horror Story.
It's difficult to hold an audience's attention when only two actors are on screen and in the same location during the entire movie. The conversation is captivating enough to do so.
I love it when movies reference other movies. This one refers to my all-time favorite time-loop movie: Groundhog Day!
Some of the banter is very entertaining. It makes you feel like you've just engaged in a philosophical boxing match. Theoretical physicists will, surely, get a kick out of the scientific ideas tossed around in the dialogue.
Do real diamonds fog up when you breathe on them? It was talked about so much in the movie that I had to look it up! As it turns out, a real diamond WILL fog but clear up within one or two seconds; whereas, a fake diamond will stay foggy. Hmmm...good to know!
There's a time stamp that lets us see how much time has passed between segments. That's an effective element since time is one of the major themes of the film.
Some of the editing choices are amusing...in a good way!
This would make for a fun stage play on college campuses.
The movie's tone assumes you're smart and can understand things like quantum mechanics. It never talks down to the audience.
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: Some of the dialogue is witty. Other times, it's not as clever as it thinks it is.
Lennon Sickels talks WAY too fast. Sometimes, it's hard to understand what she says, which is a shame because her lines are so intriguing.
There are some overacted and underacted moments.
Some viewers won't like the choice the director made to film in black and white. The movie poster leads you to believe the movie will be in color. In fact, using those kinds of colors in the actual movie would have given the movie a very metaverse feeling!
It looks like a low-budget film.
The movie isn't quite a full, feature film, clocking in at only 68 minutes. Some viewers will be happy about that, while others will wish for more scenarios.
TIPS FOR PARENTS: Kids will be extremely bored. This movie isn't appropriate for kids anyway because of crude conversations and the fact that strangers had a one-night stand.
The movie starts with a young couple who has a one-night stand and talks about how things went under the covers.
Lots of talk of sex.
Profanity, including F-bombs.
There is a large, crude drawing of a male's private body part.
!
THINGS I LIKED: The cerebral film was written, directed, and produced by Chris Aresco. Congrats to him on his many award nominations. He has done work in both film and TV.
I had never seen either actor in anything before this two-hander. Lennon Sickels and Andrew Morra have great potential. You might recognize Andrew for his performance in Season 9 of FX's American Horror Story.
It's difficult to hold an audience's attention when only two actors are on screen and in the same location during the entire movie. The conversation is captivating enough to do so.
I love it when movies reference other movies. This one refers to my all-time favorite time-loop movie: Groundhog Day!
Some of the banter is very entertaining. It makes you feel like you've just engaged in a philosophical boxing match. Theoretical physicists will, surely, get a kick out of the scientific ideas tossed around in the dialogue.
Do real diamonds fog up when you breathe on them? It was talked about so much in the movie that I had to look it up! As it turns out, a real diamond WILL fog but clear up within one or two seconds; whereas, a fake diamond will stay foggy. Hmmm...good to know!
There's a time stamp that lets us see how much time has passed between segments. That's an effective element since time is one of the major themes of the film.
Some of the editing choices are amusing...in a good way!
This would make for a fun stage play on college campuses.
The movie's tone assumes you're smart and can understand things like quantum mechanics. It never talks down to the audience.
THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: Some of the dialogue is witty. Other times, it's not as clever as it thinks it is.
Lennon Sickels talks WAY too fast. Sometimes, it's hard to understand what she says, which is a shame because her lines are so intriguing.
There are some overacted and underacted moments.
Some viewers won't like the choice the director made to film in black and white. The movie poster leads you to believe the movie will be in color. In fact, using those kinds of colors in the actual movie would have given the movie a very metaverse feeling!
It looks like a low-budget film.
The movie isn't quite a full, feature film, clocking in at only 68 minutes. Some viewers will be happy about that, while others will wish for more scenarios.
TIPS FOR PARENTS: Kids will be extremely bored. This movie isn't appropriate for kids anyway because of crude conversations and the fact that strangers had a one-night stand.
The movie starts with a young couple who has a one-night stand and talks about how things went under the covers.
Lots of talk of sex.
Profanity, including F-bombs.
There is a large, crude drawing of a male's private body part.
!
Exceeded all my expectations
erlewis-1425411 April 2023
Saw the trailer for this on Letterboxd a few weeks ago and decided to give it a watch when it came out. I liked the comedy + scf-fi melding and thought it could be up my alley as someone who enjoys indie cinema quite a lot. It exceeded every expectation I had. It is clearly shot on a low budget but it is not something you really notice or care about once the characters start talking. The dialogue is incredible, the performances are amazing, and the story is really well written. It is not the type of film that is going to blow you away with camera moves and special effects but it is definitely going to make you question your own existence and what it means to be alive and to be a person which I think is wayyyy better. I loved it and I think anyone who wants something with a little more wit and a little more brains than your average mainstream sci-fi will love it too.
Super Funny and Super Smart Sci-Fi!!
BClark18026 January 2023
Saw this at Other Worlds Fest not knowing what to expect but had a ton of fun. Very low budget but makes up for it with whip smart dialogue and an enthralling premise. Without spoiling too much, there is some actor doubling going on here and seeing these two unknown (to me at least) performers take on that challenge was worth seeing it alone. The writing was very Sorkin-esque. Fast paced and insanely witty. Whole theater was laughing out loud at multiple parts. Definitely want to watch it again when it hits streaming though because it is the type of film that necessitates repeat viewings. Reminded me of Primer in that regard. Some of that quantum physics stuff can be a little hard to follow but the writing does a great job of not bogging you down in it. Overall, rare to see writing and acting this good in a microbudget indie. Loved it!
Quirky and Clever: An Indie Gem
michael-edwards-9411 April 2023
From the opening scene, I was completely captivated by the clever and witty dialogue. The actors were both fantastic and I found myself fully absorbed in the story. I went into this movie totally blind and loved the ride!
I was so impressed by the quality of the writing and acting that I have to watch it again! I'm sure there were many great lines that I missed the first time around.
Overall, this indie gem exceeded all of my expectations. It was clear that every detail had been carefully crafted to create a cohesive and engaging story. Such a joy to watch!
A unique and 10/10 indie film!!!!
I was so impressed by the quality of the writing and acting that I have to watch it again! I'm sure there were many great lines that I missed the first time around.
Overall, this indie gem exceeded all of my expectations. It was clear that every detail had been carefully crafted to create a cohesive and engaging story. Such a joy to watch!
A unique and 10/10 indie film!!!!
My head hurts ... in a good way!
mariamaita-8657212 April 2023
Chris Aresco's storyline is unique. It is not often i find an enjoyable film with intelligent quick witted humor. Aresco's thought provoking theme will give any viewer pause. His creative direction allows interesting perspective as it is filmed in one space. This takes true talent. The Film moves very quickly so I would recommend watching a second time. I will do so to be sure I did not miss any nuances. I will be doing some quantum mechanic research also to fact check. Tipping my hat to Andrew Morra for creating himself repeatedly. I do feel that occasionally the actors spoke too quickly resulting in a few garbled words.
Highly recommend checking this one out!
Highly recommend checking this one out!
Hilarious, thought provoking, with a hint of romance
kkm3012 April 2023
Backwards Faces takes us from our own reality, where everybody is so concerned with tailoring themselves to be perceived as a good person, and whisks us into a chaotic morning filled with witty banter, a whirlwind of adventure, and a questioning of morality and self-fulfillment. It was a pleasure to meet the range of Kens and the same but different Sydneys, while being immersed in the intricacies of the multiverse. At the beginning, I felt apathetic towards the characters because I didn't know them yet, but by the end, all I wanted was for Ken 1 (or is it A? Or See?) to find his Sydney, and Sydney to find her happiness.
Backwards Faces was an excellent film and I'm so excited to see what Chris will do next!
Backwards Faces was an excellent film and I'm so excited to see what Chris will do next!
Marvel and Inception Mashup
iannaconen12 April 2023
Backward Faces has met and exceeded every expectation set. The film provides viewers with a Marvel and Inception like plot that explores accurate astro physic theories of space time dilation and daily human relationships and emotions. Chris Aresco and the cast deliver a thriller performance as well as an emotional roller coaster. As a fan of Chris Aresco's early work, you can see the passion he has for cinema, as well as his understanding of what viewers really want out of a film. Backward Faces does not miss details either. Throughout the film, viewers are actively engaged through a wide range of foreshadowing. These moments complete the entire film and separates it from other films like it.
Not just a great indie movie, but a great movie period.
ejonconrad10 July 2023
As my title suggests, this is a very entertaining movie by any standards, rather than just "for a low budget indie movie". I've seen plenty of $100M+ movies by major studios with major stars that aren't nearly as good.
I literally googled "best new sci-fi movies streaming now" and this is one of the first ones that came up. I heartily agree.
You know from the description that it deals with parallel universes, and I won't spoil it by saying much more, but it's original, funny, and mind-bending.
I can't find a budget anywhere, but it's hard to imagine it could be more than a few thousand dollars. It only has two actors and all takes place in one apartment. The minor special effects could be done these days with free video editing tools. I'm guessing they just ordered pizzas instead of springing for craft services.
In spite of that, it doesn't look cheap at all. It looks very polished and professional in the acting, the blocking, and the framing of the scenes. This is somewhat surprising given that this is the ONLY IMDB credit not only for the two actors, but for the writer/director/editor as well.
The choice to render it in black and white could have (should have?) come across as pretentious, but it doesn't.
It's bit on the short side, but I'm OK with that. Too many movies pad things out because they feel they just MUST get to 90 minutes - or these days, sometimes 2 to 3 hours. This got the job done and exited without wearing out its welcome.
I really hope we'll be seeing more of these folks in the future.
I literally googled "best new sci-fi movies streaming now" and this is one of the first ones that came up. I heartily agree.
You know from the description that it deals with parallel universes, and I won't spoil it by saying much more, but it's original, funny, and mind-bending.
I can't find a budget anywhere, but it's hard to imagine it could be more than a few thousand dollars. It only has two actors and all takes place in one apartment. The minor special effects could be done these days with free video editing tools. I'm guessing they just ordered pizzas instead of springing for craft services.
In spite of that, it doesn't look cheap at all. It looks very polished and professional in the acting, the blocking, and the framing of the scenes. This is somewhat surprising given that this is the ONLY IMDB credit not only for the two actors, but for the writer/director/editor as well.
The choice to render it in black and white could have (should have?) come across as pretentious, but it doesn't.
It's bit on the short side, but I'm OK with that. Too many movies pad things out because they feel they just MUST get to 90 minutes - or these days, sometimes 2 to 3 hours. This got the job done and exited without wearing out its welcome.
I really hope we'll be seeing more of these folks in the future.
Cannot wait to watch again!
gnm-3021113 April 2023
Watching this felt like a cross between melting my brain (from the complexity of the wormhole in Ken's bathroom) and following a game of ping-pong (Ken and Sydney's verbal sparring, which hearkened comedy greats like Abbot and Costello). Every minute of it was fun, albeit often darkly so. Andrew Morra's third "appearance" was probably my favorite performance of the film, but I loved Lennon Sickels' scientific and witty Sydney, too!
Additionally, I really loved how the film played with lighting - especially in the first scenes. It was really visually appealing, which amazed me given that it was all shot in one apartment.
I have only had the chance to watch this once, so far. I can't wait to watch again to catch all the other jokes, film references and theoretical physics stuff that I might have missed.
Additionally, I really loved how the film played with lighting - especially in the first scenes. It was really visually appealing, which amazed me given that it was all shot in one apartment.
I have only had the chance to watch this once, so far. I can't wait to watch again to catch all the other jokes, film references and theoretical physics stuff that I might have missed.
Fast-paced, philosophical, and fun
isabellamaita26 January 2023
I have seen this film 3 times now, and it makes me crack up every time. There are only two actors, but their expressive, convincing performances more than double the number of characters :). Super fast-paced dialogue keeps you on your toes for 60-something minutes, and the ending leaves you thinking. Watching this film takes some brain power, but, the silly jokes mixed with complex concepts made the movie fun and interesting. With each watch, I notice a new brilliant line and learn a little more about the multiplicity of the universe. I loved talking to fellow movie-goers about the philosophical and scientific concepts this film introduced me to.
Low-budget gem
vincent_za_999111 April 2023
I watched this film on the recommendation of my small town newspaper. I'm not typically a sci-fi fan, but I found this film novel, funny, and overall a smart sci-fi comedy. Actors Morra and Sickles are expressive enough to play several characters. Ken comes off sort of dumb, so his interactions with the quick-witted and brilliant Sydney (a perfect foil) made me laugh. The end blew me away. Don't blink or you might miss a joke, as they come quickly.
Cons: I expected a low-budget film set in one location with just two actors, and these expectations were met. If that seems too bare-bones, and you prefer a colorful big budget film, you might not love this movie. However, I am impressed with the special effects and production of such a low-budget film.
Cons: I expected a low-budget film set in one location with just two actors, and these expectations were met. If that seems too bare-bones, and you prefer a colorful big budget film, you might not love this movie. However, I am impressed with the special effects and production of such a low-budget film.
See also
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