by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
What is one of the most unexpected combinations of ideas and themes you will find in film? I bet a faith-based multiverse film was not on that BINGO card! Angel Studios and filmmaker Brock Heasley take a tale about redemption, faith (specifically found in the Book of Job), and the ever-popular web of differing existences to the big screen with The Shift. Throw in a couple of familiar faces like Neal McDonough and Sean Astin, and that will certainly grab some attention as well. This is also a story of true love and the lengths you will go to find yours. Who doesn’t love a good love story like that?
First off, how does The Shift handle its faith-based elements? Many modern faith-based films struggle with delivering anything more than just the themes and messaging. This film does not fall into that trap. Sure, it wears its themes and message on its sleeves, but that is in support of the plot and the central love story. Our main character turns to his faith to help resolve his conflict and his predicament of being lost in another existence, one that is dystopian and far from his love. There is a large connection to the book of Job, and it is an interesting and fresh take on this classic biblical tale. The film has plenty to say in terms of faith (and it can be a bit too on-the-nose about it), but it is all in the service of its mission of telling a compelling story.
How is Heasley able to handle such a challenging and complex story structure? One of the major benefits is that the film anchors everything in the context of a grounded story. Our protagonist wants to find his wife because she is the most important part of his life, despite the challenges and some serious trauma they have been through. The story is channeled into the idea that there are so many different versions of us, and the malevolent The Benefactor (McDonough) can “shift” versions of the same people into different worlds. This does make the film feel a bit limited at times, due to most of it being stuck in one dystopian universe. But at least the third act leans a bit more into the potential of the multiversal concept. It feels a bit long-winded in getting there, but the journey is worth the emotional payoff in the end (and there might be a few fun twists along the way).
Do the performers take the film across the finish line? McDonough is having the most fun possible in this film. He is charismatic, and ranges from cool and confident to enraged and scary. Astin is a fun addition in a supporting role that offers a little extra than expected; the same goes for John Billingsley. But it is the duo of Kristoffer Polaha and Elizabeth Tabish that brings the heart. Tabish is genuine and authentic, even when some of the dialogue is clunky and blunt. Polaha is a rock-solid lead who delivers a genuine feeling to this good man who is not so good in other realities.
Does The Shift deliver a faith-based experience for a wider audience? It has its heart and faith in the right place, and delivers an interesting take on the multiverse story. There might be some limitations in the way the story plays out, and some of the logic might be shaky, but it works well enough for you to get a satisfying experience. It will pull on your heartstrings and deliver some fun genre trappings as well.
Rating: It Was Just Okay
The Shift is currently playing in theaters
You can read more from Shane Conto, and follow him on Instagram, and Letterboxd