November 2, 2021 – I was reminded of “The Sixth Sense” (1999) when I saw this movie, because the main character sees dead people, but she also travels in time, in dreams, in her imagination, and maybe even for real.

This movie dabbles in the supernatural, creating a nightmarish world where a young woman, Eloise (played by Thomasin McKenzie of “Jojo Rabbit”) seems to inhabit the body of a young woman, Sandie (played by Anya Taylor-Joy of “The Witch”) from the past. While sleeping, she is also seemingly transported back to the late 1960s where she exists, ghostlike, along with Sandie.

At first, this is fun because Eloise loves this time period, but later, these trips to the past become increasingly upsetting as Sandie descends into a hellish existence of prostitution and degradation. After a time, Eloise begins seeing people from the past everywhere, even when she is awake.

Eloise, a fashion student in London, is living in the same apartment where Sandie used to live. She sees places that Sandie used to visit and she becomes convinced that she is seeing real events in the past, including a brutal murder that she attempts to solve. She tells her story to the police, who think she's crazy, in part because Eloise's own mother had mental problems before committing suicide.

Eloise's life spirals out of control as the nightmare world of the past increasingly intrudes into her dreams, and her waking life as well. In a panic, she nearly stabs a fellow student. She finally discovers the identity of the real killer, and it is a big surprise.

The surprise twist in this plot is different in several respects to the surprise ending to “The Sixth Sense”. For one thing, the surprise is created by cheating, big time. While “The Sixth Sense” was deceptive, it did not really cheat to set up its surprise ending. This film cheats by showing the viewer a false narrative, in a way that is a bit similar to the false narrative in “The Usual Suspects” (1995).

This film also has a Hollywood Ending that requires a major suspension of disbelief. The rest of the movie is crazy enough without that. I was also troubled by what appeared to be the brutal death of one character, who did not deserve his fate, while at the same time the movie asked me to have some sympathy for numerous other characters who are far less deserving.

I have enjoyed director Edgar Wright's other films (like “Baby Driver” and “Hot Fuzz”) but this one is for horror fans only, and I am not a fan of horror films. Horror fans will probably enjoy it. However, I have to admit that the film did a good job of depicting a nightmarish existence. It revealed to me what it might feel like to go mad. It was an effective film, to that extent. This film rates a C+.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in digital formats, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff (no extra charges apply). I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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