‘New Life’ review: Dir. John Rosman [Fantasia 2023]

In writer and director John Rosman’s debut feature New Life, the fate of the world rests in the hands of two women. The mysterious Jessica (Hayley Erin) is on the run. What she is fleeing is kept hidden, but her importance is quickly revealed as resourceful fixer Elsa (Sonya Walger) is assigned to bring her in. As the pair begin to circle one another, a devastating truth about each of them is revealed and suddenly the clock is ticking, both for them, and the world as we know it….

A film of two distinct halves, the construction of New Life reflects the differences between the women whose story it is telling. The first half is controlled, organised, and considered, much like the rigid Elsa. This structure falls away and gradually New Life descends into panicked chaos, a perfect mirror of Jessica’s life on the run. The change in tone and style comes with a blinding narrative reveal. Not content to be populated by enigmatic characters, New Life is hiding some enticing mysteries. 

Unfortunately the most frustrating thing about New Life is that we cannot comment on its truth. The most exciting elements should not be revealed outside of the viewing experience. In order for New Life to work, it relies on the power and impact of its surprises. These moments are worth the investment though, the film shifting from cat and mouse chase to something entirely different. Once wearing its new face, New Life raises plenty of questions around security, ethics, and government control. There is a thread of genre film hiding within, but the real world applications are what makes New Life so riveting. The viewer will leave the screen questioning a lot of things, especially in light of the events of the last few years. 

New Skin was reviewed at Fantasia International Film Festival. New Skin will next screen at Pigeon Shrine FrightFest in August.