El incidente

Rod Serling once wrote "It has been said that God created the Heaven and Earth, but it's up to each individual to create their own personal or private Hell". Well, not necessarily, as we find out in this truly incredible film debut - Writer/Director Isaac Ezban's "El Incidente".

El Incidente begins with a striking image of a very old woman in her last few minutes of life. She's still in her wedding dress, riding an escalator to an unknown origin in the future. It's followed by a sequence where we see an endless ocean, railroad track, road, stairway, and hallway. These shots act as a road map by Ezban for us to follow on his journey into a Universe of his own creation, and what a glorious journey it is

There are 2 separate yet connected stories for us to follow, both fragmented non linear narratives about a family's venture on a road trip, and a detective's successful chase of 2 petty thieves on a stairway of an apartment building. In both scenes, we witness multiple incidents, both involving a traumatic death. A detective shoots one of the criminals while on the stairway- yet claims it wasn't his doing- while the father of a family gets lost- while his daughter suffers a severe asthma attack for which he assumes much of the blame. Both groups hear an explosion shortly after each incident occurs, and both find themselves frozen in space- but not time - and isolated from the rest of the world. They are trapped - and what they do during that time will have huge implications in determining the course of their lives.

While the family on the road keep passing the same landmarks over and over again, the Cop and 2 criminals discover an endless loop of repeated floors of the building in which they are trapped. There is much more to both stories and yes, they are connected. Listen closely to the conversation between both brothers in one's dying moments on the stairway. The regret of rushing thru childhood in quest of a happier adulthood is crucial to the film's theme.

We are now transported 35 years into the future-- Act 2

Act 2 on the staircase contains the film's most creative and fascinating images. A vending machine that automatically fills up with food at will, a mural of fascinating drawings on the walls listing the number of days since the incident occurred- a bizarre religious ritual, a collection of empty plastic water bottles that contain (that's a secret) and the most beautiful images of food captured on film since Antonioni's "Zabriskie Point". The way the characters adapt to their new stairway home over those years with what little they had was amazingly creative- like utilizing limitless water bottles for use as a make shift shower, and nail clippers for mirrors. The relationships between characters grew as well as their lives depended on cooperation. (Ezban and set designer Adelle Achar used a lot of imagination in highlighting this fascinating and original segment) Michael Parkinson Pintor on murals

Act 2 of the family on the road could have used a little more development, but still in all fairness it was realistic and true to the story. The father and son are alive, but remain quite distant. The mother is catatonic and soon dies, and the little girl has long been deceased. They have not adapted to their surroundings nearly as well. A revelation soon occurs in both stories, and some warnings as well. Only when the elderly approach death in both stories do they realize what is happening- who they really are, and have to try to break an unbreakable course of events that are inevitable- making one wonder if they can overcome the limitations in their choices to act. The characters were told that they must resist temptation and remember their names. If they don't, the cycles will continue.

The movie seems to ask us do we indeed have control of our actions or are our actions predetermined, and if so, by who and why? In critiquing cinema, as in our regular lives, it seems we make our choices based on subjective impulses and live by these choices as though we have grasped an "absolute truth" Fans of mystery enjoy figuring out the unknown but are often left frustrated when the process seems like an exercise in futility (as one might feel here) This is a movie experience you must surrender to. Rather than trying to solve all the mystery of this film, or understand its bizarre logic, enjoy the experience in these unique worlds created by Ezban. Someone once said that in Science Fiction, a writer doesn't have to embarrassed for loving strange ideas- in fact, it's almost encouraged. I might add, it's not a sin for the viewer to love those ideas either. I alone am the latter.

If there is a flaw, it might be understanding Ezban's tagline and the cause-and-effect aspects of the film. There is a lot going on here. Spending equal time in both worlds would have made the film easier to understand. It's also hard to connect or even feel compassion for the characters in this film, leaving a void in our caring about the outcome. Regardless of its logistics and our emotional detachment from unlikeable characters, we remain trapped- along with the characters- in a beautiful yet claustrophobic nightmarish loop. It does leave us with questions. Most nightmares do, but few are this fascinating.

If you pay close attention, (which few people do), the film shows us how mortality and the deterioration of aging goes hand in hand with the loss of innocence and the dreams of our youth. It is a reminder that not staying active by living life to its fullest will only lead to self-destruction, This is a film that crawls inside your head and stays there- a film you're not likely to forget.

Of course, sometimes the metaphors are missed, but that's the fault of the viewer not the filmmaker. This was easily one of the most fascinating films I've ever seen in years- an amazing existential journey - and on that basis alone, it gets a 9/10 from me- I loved it, and no, this is NOT a paid review.

It's unique and creative but I felt terrible watching it the whole time. I kept watching hoping that the ending would redeem it somehow, but I can't help but feel like I just wasted two hours of my life in something that made me feel dirty and gross and depressed.

I was quite surprised watching this movie. It was absolutely brilliant!!!! worth every watch at this time of global lockdown and isolation. I would highly recommend to everyone. Watch it with a glass of alcohol and do not think much...

The film is impressive: as all films that rely on great writing and acting, you are thrilled that your attention is constantly captivated. Human nature is displayed without explaining the obvious. Shots great and you are prepared for an ending you know is not going to be linear. And yet, some inconsistencies remain and are all rushed in all together at the end. Difficult to say without spoilering, but there is one story arch that leaves you puzzled despite the slightly overlong explanation provided, and combined with the rushed through shots of other resolutions it kind of defeats the explanation provided, which would have been otherwise fit just right and been perfectly satisfying. As a film that remains with you well after you've watched, it definitely deserves watching. Fantastic acting and great direction otherwise.

Wow - I was greatly surprised by the idea in this movie.

So happy to realize it's a mexican production as well.

It brings an interesting concept based on alternate/parallel realities/dimensions, time loops and reincarnation...with its own new ideas, that add up to the genre - making it a quite original movie.

Since the characters are all sort trapped in a specific time/space area - such as in a maze -, it reminded me the super classic "The Cube". This movie really transmits this feeling of suffocation and forsakenness.

The movie is dark, disturbing and puzzling. You gotta follow up details.

So it's really not a "relaxing" movie. Same happens with "The Cube" - it really achieves the same atmosphere.

Acting was good enough - sometimes a little bit overreacted in my opinion - but when the time comes, actors are able to display traits of insanity in a fantastic way.

Such an event described in the movie can definitely push a mind beyond and make it break to pieces.

The remaining ones, the survivors, are given a chance to end it all...

If you are a fan of time loop movies, alternate realities, psychological dramas and mystery...you like movies such as "The Cube", or love Cronenberg's work...then give it a go - you won't be disappointed.

This has easily become one of my tops dark SCI-FI movie!

So happy I had the chance to see it!