Review published 9th March 2026

Watch the official trailer.

A Quiet Life of Work, Games, and Devotion to His Dog Sandy

Conor (Albert Birney) lives an isolated life, happily keeping to himself and staying indoors in his quiet home. Daily, Conor recreates photographic images requested by a completed form and cash. Using only letters, numbers, and symbols from his computer, Conor fulfils the orders before printing them out and dispatching them. When he is not working, he enjoys spending his spare time watching films and playing video games. Although he lives alone, the love of his life is his peaceful, quiet dog, Sandy (played by Dorothy).

Conor’s Unexpected Quest to Save Sandy and Conquer a Mysterious Game

One day, Conor spots an advertisement for an upcoming video game. The ad is seeking players to test the game, and Conor films himself in front of a video camera, providing the much-needed answers in the hope of being selected to participate. Days go by, and Conor soon accepts a delivery of a floppy disc titled OBEX. Installing the game to take it for a spin, Conor finds it far from interesting and walks away. However, when he discovers that his adorable Sandy has mysteriously vanished, he must step out of his comfort zone and go on a whole new kind of adventure, hoping to conquer a new kind of evil while also finding a way to bring Sandy home safe and sound. Will Conor be able to succeed in the ultimate quest?

Albert Birney’s Weird, Retro Fantasy and Horror Vision

OBEX is a fantasy and sci-fi film, and as the story progresses, it also takes on a strong touch of horror. Not only does Albert Birney lead the film as Conor, but he also serves as the co-writer and is, in fact, the film’s director. As a director, Albert’s other works include Tux and Fanny (2019), Sylvio (2017), and Eyeballs in the Darkness (2022). He has also co-directed titles such as Strawberry Mansion (2021), Sylvio (2017), and more. Although this is my first time experiencing Albert’s craft, it is evident that he enjoys all things retro, fantastic, highly weird and unexplainably odd.

A Heartfelt Adventure with Retro Style and a Lovable Hero

I quite enjoyed the story, and the same could be said of the deeply rewarding conclusion, which delivers a great positive message that feels relevant in today’s world. As a character, Conor is quite likable, and you cannot help but wish him well on his newfound adventure. Viewers will easily fall in love with Sandy the dog; she is truly adorable. The visuals here are in black and white, which feel highly artistic and quite fitting given the retro vibes surrounding the film’s technology. Speaking of which, the way older technology is used throughout the film is also quite impressive and cool, not to mention the multiple fun film references that appear along the way.

A Slow Build with Mystery That Leaves Some Questions Unanswered

As for any negatives, or more so disappointments, my biggest point to make is that the film does take some time to get underway. If you are expecting Conor to experience a video game world quite quickly, you will be disappointed, as this element is introduced more in the third act. Is everything within Conor’s adventure fully understood? No, sadly not. There are some elements here that I am still questioning and trying to understand. Still, the messaging is extremely clear, and the film includes many likeable elements that keep it engaging, including the question of whether Conor’s journey will succeed.

An Artistic Sci-Fi Fantasy That Rewards Patience

Overall, OBEX is an enjoyable film filled with fun fantasy and sci-fi elements, and the horror elements were quite unexpected too. Considering this was all directed, co-written, and led by Albert Birney, there is a lot of work that has gone into this film. The results are quite impressive, not to mention enjoyable, with unpredictable outcomes. The visuals are fun and cool, as the black-and-white imagery feels deeply fitting, and the retro technology is used well, with a creativity I could not help but enjoy. The ride this film took me on was engaging, but its biggest drawback is that it is quite slow to get underway, and minor plot details remain somewhat ambiguous. That said, there is no denying it is highly artistic. For those seeking a film where a lead character deals with reality as well as an open-world video game experience, press and screen OBEX today.

Obex (2025) will be Available on Digital from March 11th, thanks to Lightbulb Film Distribution

About the Reviewer

Peter Walkden

Film writer and curator with a deep passion for cinema, genre filmmaking, and physical media. Exploring new releases, cult favourites, and overlooked films, with a strong focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the theatrical experience.

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