What’s It About
Jess is a woman on the run, desperate to cross the Canadian border to escape her past. On her tail is Elsa, a resourceful agent whose recent life-altering diagnosis leaves her one step behind. As their chase narrows to the mountains of the Pacific Northwest, holes in Elsa’s investigation begin to fill with fresh bodies.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
New Life is a thriller that opens with a young girl, Jessica, played by Hayley Erin (Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists), appearing to be on the run with blood all over her face. As she flees unknown assailants, she uses her wilderness knowledge to hike through remote areas until she can reach the Canadian border. Starting the film this way allows for instant tension, and the mystery surrounding the chase draws the audience in. Meanwhile, Elsa, played by Sonya Walger (For All Mankind), an agent for hire, has been tasked to stop Jessica. However, the two are linked by more than the pursuit. The film moves slowly, spending the first half getting to know Jessica and Elsa. Elsa is the emotional core of the story. She has been diagnosed with ALS and is alone. Completing the task will allow her to prove something to herself and bring layers to a character that initially seems too unoriginal. Her private struggles are heartbreaking and endearing. Erin and Walger carry the film in moments of little progression, and the payoff will make it all worthwhile. As their paths collide, these women will face not only their fates but also what could be the fate of the world. The truth is revealed between the information Elsa collects and a series of flashbacks featuring Jessica. That truth is so horrifying and deadly that it could threaten life as we know it. While New Life has a lot of suspense, it’s not your typical fugitive versus pursuer film with non-stop thrills. Instead, the mystery allows for the building of tension, ultimately leading to the big reveal of why Jessica is being chased. The film’s viral element heightens the suspense but leaves many unanswered questions by the time the film ends. The film would have benefited from expanding on this plot aspect. However, Jessica and Elsa’s stories are still compelling to watch. Both leads deliver fantastic performances that add much emotional weight to the film. Erin portrays Jessica in a way that makes her seem kind, endearing, and capable of survival, even in the most challenging situations. Walger shines in Elsa’s more vulnerable moments, especially as she struggles to come to terms with a recent diagnosis and how it will impact every aspect of her life. The comparison of these two characters highlights how similar their journeys are, even as they meet very different ends. Even with New Life being a bare-bones thriller, it still incorporates striking imagery and effects.
OUR RATING – AN INFECTED 6