Hana (Sasha Luss) is a skilled professional gamer, making her the perfect candidate to test upcoming games and provide feedback to creators so they can succeed and profit. However, Hana has acute agoraphobia, which means she has no interest in leaving her home. One morning, Hana receives a knock at the door and finds new gaming equipment from Cnex, which will take her gaming experience to a new level. Filled with excitement, Hana contacts her close friend Jen (Alexis Ren) and invites her to come over so they can experience the new gaming-related equipment together. The latest product has strict terms, and Hana cannot promote it until the embargo date has been lifted. Until then, she can play with the equipment but cannot share her final thoughts and reviews. The Cnex device looks like a wearable headset named Omnia. Using neo-imaging, the Omnia will look at patterns in her brain and control all of Hana’s electrical devices, including gaming consoles and software.
Latency is a thriller that introduces many mysteries, including Hana’s vision and reasons for wanting to stay inside her home. Unexpectedly, it also has elements of horror and action, mainly when Hana is playing a specific game. If you’re a gaming fan, you’ll find many relatable and fun game references and an imaginative, new type of video game system with advanced technology and creation. Latency was written and directed by James Croke, who previously directed a short film titled Shift in 2013 and has worked on various other short films as a production designer.
As a concept, I found the film quite compelling. Its opening is strong, with a well-defined premise and plot outline. I enjoyed watching Hana running around her home with a gaming gun, killing various monsters, and testing a new upcoming video game to seek out any issues and glitches. I was intrigued by her invitation to try something new, Hana’s secret past, and why she always wanted to stay inside her apartment. The most exciting moments in the film are when there is CGI or visual effects, and the ideas surrounding new gaming technology are also fun. However, after the opening and first act, the film ultimately becomes a dull horror film with a few reveals along the way.
Unfortunately, the performances are bland and forgettable, and the dialogue often feels cliché. What’s even more frustrating is the ending of the film. Without giving away any details, I’ll say that many of the questions raised in the movie are left open to interpretation, and some remain unanswered or have multiple possible answers. The mysteries surrounding the character Hana are intriguing, and I was invested in discovering more. Still, the film falls short when explaining and resolving everything built up. Although the movie starts strong, the plot slows down significantly. Despite attempts to end with dramatic reveals and surprises, the vague conclusion left me unsatisfied and disappointed, as I hoped for more clarity and detail.
Overall, gaming fans will appreciate the film’s numerous references and new ideas. The combination of thriller, horror, and sci-fi presents a fresh concept and an engaging mystery in the opening introduction and first act. The CGI moments are awe-inspiring. However, the film becomes fast-paced once the opening ends, with many dull moments and bland performances. I enjoyed the mystery and various subplots, but by the end, I couldn’t confidently say I understood everything as the credits rolled. This was intensely frustrating, akin to being unable to finish an impossible video game.
3.5/10
28th December 2024
Written by Peter Walkden
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