In Another Life (2025)

-Written by Kyle Bain. 

A gentleman (William Jackson) wanders the earth searching for a portal he believes will allow him to communicate with times passed. In Another Life is a gritty soundscape that envelopes viewers and transports them to a world full of both mysticism and horror. 

Writer-Director Tristan Blue never tells viewers the purpose of the film, and, honestly, he never fully expresses to viewers what exactly is occurring either. The mystery that surrounds both the film’s lead and the film as a whole requires viewers to pay close attention, as not to miss any pertinent details. In some ways, this is a trap—because Blue’s decisions regarding sound design are invasive and disorienting.

In Another Life uses a cryptic and avant-garde score to drive the film and ironically invite viewers into it. The deafening sounds that fill the screen almost anger viewers, but also force them to question why Blue makes these decisions, why he chooses to antagonize, rather than simply bring viewers along for the ride. The mystery is always where the man is trying to go and what he’s trying to achieve—but Blue’s stylistic storytelling is a mystery in itself, one that heightens the film as a whole. 

The mysterious score is paired with equally enigmatic visuals.

The aggressive, dizzying effects create an interesting whirlwind of emotion that creates unrest and unbalance. In Another Life never settles on a singular tone, throwing viewers for a loop throughout. This aspect of the film effectively mirrors the dystopian mental state of the man—an honest reflection of the journey on which he’s embarked. In Another Life does an exceptional job of telling this man’s story (while still remaining a bit inconspicuous)—and it’s Blue’s dedication to being original that allows these sentiments to shine through. 

Moments of In Another Life feel like something you see in a found-footage production, something shaky and audibly distorted. This helps to create a sense of truth that permeates its entirety, allowing the film to feel much more genuine, rather than a simple production with a message. Some of the extreme long shots are shaky and graining, appearing as something one might find on an old camcorder from the 1990s, managing to ground what is an otherwise vividly expressive venture into filmmaking. 

In Another Life is raw, a relatively simple venture into the world of cinema—but Blue and his team don’t see that as a flaw, but rather an opportunity to speak to viewers with a unique voice. The pairing of uncomfortable sounds and the disorienting visuals create a world that feels so uniquely different from our own, and yet somehow familiar. The trials and tribulations of the real world are understood, but the journey depicted on screen is one unique to this film. Much like an out-of-body experience, In Another Life transports viewers somewhere new, and with touches of cinematic excellence, the film thrives. 

Written & Directed by Tristan Blue. 

Starring William Jackson & Tristan Blue. 

7/10 = WATCH IT FOR FREE