A heady, hallucinatory maze, Reflect is the new metaphysical, sci-fi thriller debut from writer, director and star Dana Kippel. Aiming to strip back layers of trauma, mental health and the fortitude of female relationships, this is an altogether imaginative debut with fantastical ideas about our existence and the meaning behind it. Metaphysical horror is hard to define: its definitions are vague and have roots inside and outside of the genre. Some hint more towards a philosophical condition, and this film absolutely puts a lens on our experience as humans, as well as creating an overarching sense of fear, an abstract tone, with psychedelic visuals to deliver a sense of “unreality.” Reflect appears to fit the bill for both science fiction and metaphysical horror, hurling us into a colorful, dreamy alternate reality.
After a trippy nightmare and intrusive thoughts, we meet the cast through a colorful display of tarot cards in the Game of Life: Summer (Dana Kippel) is The Star, Annie (Marissa Patterson) is The High Priestess, Liz (Jadelyn Breier) is Temperance, Nia (Ariana Brown) is The World and Katie (Grace Patterson) is cast as The Empress (if you’re into tarot, now would be your time to take your guesses on association for each card). After introductions, we witness Summer in bed, researching a spiritual retreat in Sedona, Arizona that she plans to invite her girlfriends to after a long time apart. Summer’s partner seems disinterested in the retreat and in Summer generally, creating a sense of isolation within the pair, as it’s clear Summer needs this trip and some form of connection. She meets with Katie to discuss the retreat and the odd $20,000 offer if someone completes it. Summer seems doubtful that anyone would want to join her, but Katie is game and it seems the rest of the group is interested. The next day, Annie arrives, solely for the cash and fairly flat in the face of the experience, and they video call the other two members that are supposed to join them, with most of the girls echoing the sentiment that a spiritual journey is needed.
The trip promises meditation and therapies that will help the girls get in tune with themselves and each other, which some of them aren’t necessarily familiar with. In the car, the girls have been driving through scorching desert until they notice roadside signs, handmade, that lead them to a young man meditating in peculiar clothing amongst a pile of objects. After a silly first impression he provides them with water, and sends them off with a high-spirited wish that the girls can do anything they believe! Interesting stuff. Back on the road, the girls start pestering Summer about what the trip will entail, and she reveals it will be a spiritual obstacle course comprising five themed portions, such as forgiveness and love.
We see in the car there’s some fissures as the girls pick at each other and evaluate their preparedness for the trip whilst assessing each other for weaknesses. Use of the land provides glimpses of the desert as the girls close in on their destination through trees and awe-inspiring rock formations. Surprise! The man from the side of the road is back and his name is Hermes (Joe Filippone)! With a maraca, some interesting dance moves and …barking, he gives a fantastic introduction. As it turns out, he’s their first guide, the focus of this meeting being their lifetime, all of it. Flamboyant but steadfast, he’s a convincing host showing that this retreat is the real deal and their experience has begun.
This is a visually stunning film, from the effects to the success of shooting on location and utilizing the desert imagery, marrying the natural and artificial nicely to create a sense of distance from society. As the women change clothing and are contrasted against bare nature with their ritualistic white dresses, you can’t help but be reminded of the dancing singing women of Midsommar in their similar attire, embracing another once in a lifetime ceremony. Cinematography is top notch, capturing the natural beauty of Sedona and creating interesting, unique shots, close and far from our subjects. Closeups of the natural landscape like the gnarled trees and horizons daze, and closer shots of our subjects reveal layers of emotion as the ordeal unfolds. While sometimes the budget may show its strain during times of intense metaphysical action, the performances help lift what could have been a difficult, draining topic and instead explore the human condition with curiosity and in some ways visually and in its pursuit of truth reminds me of Something in the Dirt. The metaphysical comes in a couple of flavors, as the threats lurking are generally unseen and unknown in all capacities, whether they can access the girls directly or not. This sense of not knowing what’s real, what’s dangerous, what is a memory or a fear, all comes together to create a great universal unease that settles in after the first act. It leaves you with enormous, interesting questions about our being, creation and demise by its end regarding something called “The Game of Life” that also leaves a strange taste in your mouth with a post-credit scene you’ll need to tune in for.
The idea of a spiritual or mental gymnastics-type obstacle course is rather brilliant, as we never think of improving our connectivity the same way we exercise our muscles, using each provided spiritual guide like a personal trainer. Each exercise, each course and each teacher (I have a soft spot for the dancing, loving Inanna, played by a wise and energetic Campbell Crates), pulls away gradually and we are given increasingly sensitive looks into the obstacles within the obstacle course and how they challenge each participant. All five of these women deliver raw, emotional performances as we balance on the edge of a knife, while the film progresses into darker and more intimate territory. Female relationships and anxieties are cut open and we see the emotional vulnerability it takes to be involved at any level, exposing difficulties and even getting one of the group members to come out of the closet; this is a female and queer friendly piece that champions honesty with yourself and others at the highest level—even when it hurts. This is something truly original both in its writing and its visuals, representing a jaw-dropping debut for Kippel as a creator and performer. Reflect is available now for your intoxicating viewing pleasure.
Reflect (2023) is released on VOD on 9th January 2024.