Another pandemic inspired humanity versus the mycological apocalypse, presenting more of a straight up ecological horror tale, but with deep ambition and contemplative undertones. As appropriate to the fungal inspiration, there are numerous psychedelic visuals, sequences, and moments of high-octane body horror. An inspired combination of practical and CG effects produce some stunning visuals that are exquisitely grotesque and linger hauntingly. While the main creatures are lifted directly from “the last of us“, the more horrific notions in this film derive from the twisted inevitability of being subsumed by an entity: physically, mentally and far more interestingly: spiritually. There are characters in this film presenting a perspective of religious devotion in cult-like isolation, offering a skewed perspective that might just be sympathetic, rational and the lessons worth passing and carrying forward into a changed world. The pace is rather methodical, a bit languid in places and there are far too many moments of nightmarish fake-out, but again your perspective may vary with regard to how this reflects the philosophical and psychedelic undertones of the film. As is often the case, the last act abandons a lot of subtlety and nuance, but maintains a riveting presentation all the way through to a nicely executed finale.
Gaia (2021)