Divinity
Utopia and Sumerian Films
Director: Eddie Alcazar
Writer: Eddie Alcazar
Cast: Stephen Dorff, Moises Arias, Jason Genao, Karrueche Tran, Mike O’Hearn, Emily Willis, with Scott Bakula and Bella Thorne
Opens: Texas premiere Thursday, September 21 at 11pm CT at Austin’s Alamo Drafthouse Cinema South Lamar during Fantastic Fest 2023
Arthouse cinema thrives on its innovative, forward-thinking approach to storytelling, and the new sci-fi thriller, ‘Divinity,’ certainly embraces that concept. The film flourishes on its unique vision of honoring the genre’s visual aesthetics of the past, as well as emphasizing modern society’s drive for self-preservation, especially during medical emergencies. The overall themes help viewers understand what it truly means to be human and compassionate towards others, even during times of crisis.
The drama was written and directed by Eddie Alcazar. He also served as a producer on the feature, which was executive produced by Academy Award-winning filmmaker, Steven Soderbergh.
‘Divinity’ had its Texas premiere last Thursday, September 21 during Fantastic Fest 2023. The movie then had its second screening during Fantastic Fest this afternoon, Thursday, September 28.
The thriller’s screening during the Austin-based festival comes before it’s set to be theatrically released in New York on Friday, October 13, and then in Los Angeles the following Friday, October 20. It will then be distributed in theaters nationwide on Friday, November 3 by Utopia and Sumerian Films.
‘Divinity,’ which is set in an otherworldly human existence, chronicles the legacy of scientist Sterling Pierce (Scott Bakula), who dedicated his life to the quest for immortality. He’s remembered for slowly creating the building blocks of the titular groundbreaking serum, which is believed to help humanity achieve endless youth.
Decades after Sterling began his experiments, his son, Jaxxon Pierce (Stephen Dorff), now controls and manufactures his father’s once-benevolent dream. Society on the planet, which as become barren, has been entirely influenced by the supremacy of the drug, whose true origins are shrouded in mystery.
In order to take control over how Divinity is used, two mysterious alien brothers, who are both named Star (Moises Arias and Jason Genao), arrive on the planet with a plan to abduct the mogul. Upon breaking into Jaxxon’s home, the two brothers launch their plan to change the way Divinity is used by humanity. They also strive to show Jaxxon the error of his ways by forcing him to take an overdose of the drug, which increases his pain and rage
During their mission, the two brothers are interrupted by a seductive sex worker named Nikita (Karrueche Tran), who was hired by Jaxxon. After she arrives at the house shortly after the brothers launch their plan, the trio begins working together.
Meanwhile, Jaxxon and the brothers must also battle a female race led by Ziva (Bella Thorne), which also aims to undo the destruction caused by Divinity. Despite their differing motives, Jaxxon, the brothers, Nikita and Ziva all embark on a path hurtling toward true immortality on a planet that’s afflicted by a high infertility rate.
Overall, ‘Divinity’ is an ambitious, aesthetically pleasing lo-fi sci-fi drama. The movie features an overall stark, 1960-’70s-style desert landscape and a stunning mod mansion.
The overall sets created by the thriller’s production designer, Paul Rice, illuminate the surreal nature of Alcazar’s absurdist storytelling. Jaxxon’s mansion features arthouse sensibilities, notably through its analog cassette tapes and computers, which immerses the story in a retro setting. The rest of the mansion thrives on the character’s indulgent nature, from the excessive amount of food he has available for himself to the luxurious birthday party held there in his honor, which also makes the space feel futuristic.
Besides its production design, ‘Divinity’ also thrives on the vision of its unique camera work. The film’s cinematographer, Danny Hiele, shot the feature in gloriously luminous black-and-white 16mm. The analog, retro cinematography frames the sets and the performers with the nervousness of German expressionism, with lengthy shadows and sharp angles. The drama’s climactic fight scene is a memorable standout, as Hiele framed the final battle in dazzling stop motion that uses the land surrounding Jaxxon’s mansion to its advantage.
‘Divinity’ is aesthetically reminiscent of the lo-fi production of sci-fi television shows and movies from the 1960-’70s. Rice crafted a stark style desert landscape and an equally captivating mod mansion, which illuminate the surreal nature of Alcazar’s absurdist storytelling. The picturesque landscape is brilliantly captured by Hiele’s gloriously luminous black-and-white camerawork.
While the thriller’s aesthetics honor the vintage visuals of the sci-fi genre’s height in the 1960’s-’70s, its themes are still relatable and vital in the modern world. Alcazar’s story emphasizes on how current society’s penchant for selfishness, especially in the post-pandemic times, can ultimately lead to the downfall of humanity.
Technical: A-
Acting: B
Story: B
Grade: B
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