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Rating
Synopsis
Scientists Meg (Emma Reinagel) and Harry (Rickard Claeson) created an experimental device called Quadrant to help people conquer their fears. Their first test subject is a young woman named Erin (Shannon Barnes), who has an obsession with Jack The Ripper. However, the more she uses Quadrant, the more she wants to use it to reenact the notorious murders. Meanwhile, Meg and Harry bring in another test subject, Robert (Christian Carrigan), whose crippling fears affect his livelihood. Erin gets friendly with Robert and manipulates him into being her accomplice as she starts killing real people. Tensions arise when Meg wants to stop the experiments because of their effects, while Harry wants to keep going. Unfortunately, it might be too late, as Erin can now manipulate reality thanks to her bond with Quadrant. Will her reign of terror be stopped, or has Jack The Ripper returned as this troubled young woman?
Review
Quadrant has its issues but offers plenty of promise for the first film in a new series. To get this out of the way, the film’s use of AI-generated artwork is disconcerting and might upset some people. On the one hand, there’s a lot of discussion about using AI over hiring professional artists. On the other hand, this is a micro-budget film, and Full Moon probably didn’t have the proper resources. Also, you could justify using AI by saying that everything experienced in Quadrant is supposed to be virtual reality. It’s supposed to be a simulation of a real-world scenario, meaning not everything will look 100% realistic. While it would’ve been better if they hired professional artists or built period-accurate sets, they worked with what they had. If AI-generated artwork genuinely bothers you, you’ll probably hate this, but if not, you might enjoy it.
On the positive side, C. Courtney Joyner’s script is solid, and he does a great job exploring these concepts. The idea of a demented person abusing a virtual reality system to live out their sick fantasies is intriguing. This film goes in some directions you wouldn’t expect from a recent Full Moon movie, and it’s greatly appreciated. The young cast does a good job, with Shannon Barnes being the biggest standout among the group. She plays the part with such devilish charm and demented enthusiasm that you can’t take your eyes off her. Emma Reinagel also does an excellent job as the voice of reason against Rickard Claeson, whose determination is infectious. Christian Carrigan is also solid as a trauma patient trying to overcome his fears, which Erin easily manipulates. Admittedly, some of his line deliveries sound flat, but he and everyone else show plenty of potential.
There are also a few story details that either aren’t explained well or don’t make sense. For instance, we’re never told how Quadrant came to be, who’s funding it, or how Meg and Harry built it. Also, as the story progresses, Erin can somehow manipulate reality around her, but there’s no rhyme or reason behind it. While the film has some dynamic lighting and great use of shadow, the cinematography feels a little flat. The music also sounds repetitive and doesn’t pick up until the third act, and some of the dialogue seems dubbed. Granted, these technical gripes don’t hurt the film too much, and it delivers the edginess the label promised. Hopefully, some of these issues will get ironed out for future movies, but this is otherwise a solid start. Overall, Quadrant has flaws, but it’s got a strong cast, intriguing ideas, and boobs and blood galore.
Quadrant will be available on streaming, Blu-ray, DVD, and VHS on August 23rd. Visit https://www.fullmoonfeatures.com/quadrant-coming-8-23 for more information.
