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Index
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Introduction
When discussing hard and soft science fiction, we refer to two contrasting and complementary ways of approaching this field. While the latter discusses its consequences on people, society, etc. using even vague and inaccurate premises, the former favors scientific rigor, plausibility, and technical investigation. These are historically ambiguous terms, the definitions of which, particularly in literature, have frequently battled, been confused, and been accompanied by fundamental examples.
Coherence is a sort of mixture of the two genres (at least for my understanding of them).
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Multiverse and parallel realities
James Ward Byrkit made a brave and unorthodox decision by filming the entire thing inside his own home with a small crew and a group of eight actor friends who were given plenty of latitude for improvisation in handling the script. A decision that ultimately proved to be more than successful and gave us one of the most intelligent and fascinating sci-fi titles in recent memory. It was able to explore theories of the multiverse and parallel realities in a compelling and original way, incorporating deep philosophical allusions like Schrödinger's cat paradox and succeeding in giving a story with such a constrained setting a remarkable amount of narrative variety.
A slight but not at all annoying stretch is found in the not entirely self-explanatory epilogue of Coherence, which invites the viewer to play an increasingly complicated game in which the various twists and turns demand a pleasant participatory effort to figure out the possible dynamics at play. However, it is a fine, tense game that lasts for more than 80 minutes. It is capable of creating doubts and reawakening old, dormant arguments in a millimetric succession of facts, where the particulars quickly assume fundamental significance for the purposes of the story. It also allows the sci-fi premise to delve into profound ethical and moral reflections on the awareness of one's own being, in a journey to uncover their hidden sides.
A project that has received enough lifeblood from the excellent performances of the actors, among whom TV audiences will undoubtedly recognize Nicholas Brendon as the original Xender from the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
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Use of gimmicks
Basically, Coherence starts to play on apprehension and doubt as soon as the cards are revealed. Is the guy standing before us the same one we've always known, or is he a visitor from another world? If so, does he understand that he is from a different dimension? Is he attempting to trick us? Or is he totally uninformed? The protagonists' attempts to figure out how to get away with it are accompanied by a riot of clever moments that make ideal use of a simple gimmick (characters using things to determine if they are dealing with the "right" people"). There are some "meta" gimmicks as well, but thankfully they are kept to Nicholas Brendon's one-off appearance as a former TV star and recovering alcoholic. Overall, the movie works because it is well written, doesn't mess up anything despite the presence of paranormal superhumans and is particularly strong in its really coherent and lucid conclusion.
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Plot
A gathering of goliardic and fraternal old friends arrange a party at one of their homes to celebrate the passing of a comet that can be seen with the naked eye. The evening begins off perfectly, but soon something unusual occurs: the mobile phones lose reception and occasionally start acting strange, the phone and internet lines become inoperable, and the lights abruptly go out. In order to contact family members and learn how much the problem is genuinely related to the arrival of the celestial body, two members of the group decide to go to the only house in the neighborhood where the lights are still on.
It will just be the start of a series of more bizarre and puzzling events that will reignite old resentments and jealousies...
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Conclusion
The eighty minutes of Coherence, a perfect tension puzzle set almost entirely within the four walls where the members of the group find themselves grappling with an event beyond all logic and imagination, are characterized by an unsettling and fascinating structure akin to Sliding Doors that open up endless narrative possibilities in which the viewer becomes a participating element in trying to unravel doubts and divine insights and theories.
All in all, a well-made film that will surely be appreciated by lovers of the genre (genres).
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Rating
My personal vote is:
8.5/10
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Farewell image and text separators, created by me with Canva