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There are several aspects of this religious-themed drama that are noteworthy: it has a strong sense of ambition, its plot may not always follow the expected path, and the inclusion of character actor Neal McDonough as a villain adds depth to the story. Additionally, the film stands out due to its infrequent appearance in the genre – it is rare to come across a dystopian sci-fi movie loosely based on the Book of Job.
The director’s adaptation of the biblical story, loosely based on it, portrays wealthy financier Kevin (played by popular Hallmark actor Kristoffer Polaha) experiencing two major losses: first, he loses his prestigious job, and then he is separated from his future wife, whom he meets while wallowing in a bar after losing his job. This separation happens when he is transported to a parallel universe by a charming devil figure known as the Benefactor (played by McDonough). The rest of the movie follows Kevin as he tries to find his way back to the correct reality. It can now be said that Marvel does not hold exclusive rights to the complicated concept of the multiverse.
Although The Shift has some redeeming qualities and can be seen as a cultural curiosity or campy subject, it is often bogged down by excessive talk about Kevin’s mission. Kevin is determined to reunite with his wife, but also carries the burden of being a hoodie-wearing underground savior, wearing Louis Theroux-style glasses in a world where religious texts are forbidden and even well-meaning ex-financiers struggle to make ends meet. The film’s lack of enjoyable moments compared to its tedious dialogue makes it almost as difficult to sit through as Job’s trials.
By chance, the same company responsible for the popular summer 2023 film “Sound of Freedom”, which was endorsed by Trump and centered around Mormon child trafficking, is also behind this release. However, it is unlikely that this film will achieve the same success, although as “Sound of Freedom” showed, anything is possible.
Source: theguardian.com
