Director: Tate Young.
Cast: Elysia White, David Strauss, Joanne Jansen, Kwame Kyei-Boeteng, Mandy May Cheetham.
Certificate: N/A
Running Time: 70 minutes
Synopsis: In 2025, people can learn skills simply via their participation in computer games.
Originally crowdfunded as a webseries and recut into this neat little theatrical offering, Haphead gives a view into the future of entertainment not only in its premise but also in its construction. While the film itself explores the idea of skills being learned directly through computer games, we can also see that filmmakers no longer have to wait for big studios to realise fascinating ideas. Set in 2025, Haphead takes its name from the people who use the technology outside of the law. By simply hooking up their brains, all the information their character takes in can be applied in the real world. Our heroine, Maxine (White), is one such user who abuses her summer temp position at a factory producing the necessary cables for entering the game worlds. Her game of choice is Overgrowth, in which players take on the roles of martial arts rabbits.
The 2025 of Haphead is an excellent slight polish of today’s time. Director Young hasn’t tried to make anything too far removed from now in terms of fashion, technology, or politics. This was probably due to the budget as much as anything, but it also makes it a more relatable and believable world. Styles are a natural progression of what we have today, while we also see little additions such as drones becoming the tech of choice, allowing anything from home to be delivered to wherever you may be. The in-game sequences, as short and sporadic as they may be, look beautiful and creative, and work as a relaxing rest-stop for the viewer in the same way that they must work for the character of Maxine. In saying that though, it is doubtful the graphics represent what 2025 has in store, but this is a minor quibble.
Less seamless is the redditing from 8 webisodes into a 70 minute feature. The plot evolves episodically, with most elements wrapped up in a quick timeframe. This is most notable in the cuts to black and gradual swells in pacing to signify the end of each episode. This isn’t terminal however, and I do wonder if I would have even noticed had I not been informed beforehand. With a brisk running time and a plot that does evolve from beginning to end, it still feels like a complete piece, and never as though you are binge watching a box-set. The nature of the film also means that it is without a complete concrete ending, instead leaving certain plot points open for a second season.
Young has assembled a very adept cast, with lead Elysia White having a lot to do in 70 minutes. She captures a certain elegance and naiviety, as well as lack of interest that we can only imagine teenagers in 10 years may be like. At the same time she evolves her role in a world where computer games can be a useful tool helping with her fighting and fitness. White also has many emotional moments which are presented well, and the entire cast give no indication to the low-budget nature of the work. Also admirable are the connections we feel throughout the characters, despite that 70 minute runtime, especially the chemistry between Maxine and her father (Strauss}.
With a tight script from Jim Munroe, a great central idea, and the overall feeling that the ambition of the project is what drives it forward, Haphead is a promising and interesting piece of work. As it begins to follow more of a mystery plot line, it adds extra intriguing elements. The cinematography may vary between scenes due to lighting and settings, with nighttime shots looks less polished, but this is overall a very interesting product that deserves its continued existence in a second season. Want to check it out for yourself? Well you can watch the whole thing for free over at the official website in either episodic or theatrical form.
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