Mercy Road

Mercy Road offers a unique and unconventional thriller experience. Directed by John Curran, known for his work on Australian films such as Praise and Tracks, as well as TV series such as Eden and Bloom, the film takes viewers on a high-stakes journey that risks dividing them.

The heart of Mercy Road revolves around Tom (Luke Bracey), a construction worker who finds himself behind the wheel of a speeding truck, in a race against time to rescue his 15-year-old daughter, Ruby, who has been kidnapped. Tom's only lifeline is a mysterious, ominous man known as The Associate, played by Toby Jones. The associate's disembodied voice over the phone adds a layer of anxiety and suspense to the story, much like Kiefer Sutherland's role in Phone Booth.

One of the highlights of the film is Luke Bracey's performance as Tom. Bracey brings an impressive intensity to his character, capturing the desperation and urgency of a father on the verge of losing everything. As the partner asks Tom to keep driving, the film masterfully ties its narrative to its pacing, creating a sense of relentless momentum that continues throughout the film's relatively short 85-minute running time.

Mercy Road is a daring, hypnagogic experiment that challenges traditional narrative conventions. It plunges viewers into the heart of the action, starting with the media, as Tom flees a crime scene and desperately tries to contact his daughter. The film drops hints and tantalizing lines of dialogue without providing full context, inviting viewers to piece together the puzzle of what has happened and what might yet happen.

The character of the associate is at the heart of the film's plot. Like an angel of death, he serves as both a plot element and a spiritual revelation for Tom. Drawing on characters such as Kiefer Sutherland in Phone Booth and Dennis Hopper's antagonist in Speed, the associate's ominous presence raises questions about his true nature and his connection to Tom. While some may find the dialogue of this disembodied character a little excessive, it adds to the film's atmospheric and enigmatic qualities.

Mercy Road intentionally keeps viewers inside Tom's truck for most of the film, contributing to its surreal atmosphere. Interestingly, the film was shot on a virtual set, a technique that reinforces the dreamlike quality of the story. By avoiding real locations and relying on a virtual set, the film creates an illusion of constant motion, reinforcing the feeling that the protagonist is running through a metaphorical tunnel inside himself, trying to escape the inescapable.

If Mercy Road can be compared to other single-set thrillers such as Phone Booth and Locke, this is an original and darkly idiosyncratic thriller. Director John Curran embraces the possibilities of interpretation and encourages viewers to contemplate the symbolic significance of the associate and the complex relationship between him and Tom. In doing so, the film offers a captivating, unconventional cinematic experience that defies easy classification.

One aspect of Mercy Road that deserves special mention is its technical innovation. The film was made using giant LED screens that display digitally created backgrounds. This approach resulted in considerable cost savings, as it required a smaller crew and eliminated the need for costly night shoots. In addition, it allowed remarkable flexibility in manipulating images to suit live action, making it an outstanding example of innovative production techniques in the industry.

Mercy Road is a film that arouses both admiration for its ambition and frustration for its execution. It offers a unique and surreal thriller experience that challenges viewers to engage with its narrative and enigmatic characters. While not without its flaws, it remains an original and stimulating addition to the thriller genre. Whether captivating or frustrating, Mercy Road is a never-ending adventure that demands attention and discussion.

Mercy Road
Directed by John Curran
Produced by Gary Hamilton, Daniaile Jarry, Penny Karlin, Michelle Krumm, Alex Proyas, Ying Ye
Written by Jesse Heffring, Christopher Lee Pelletier, John Curran
Starring  Luke Bracey, Toby Jones, Susie Porter, Huw Higginson, Martha Kate Morgan
Cinematography : Ross Giardina 
Production companies : Arclight Films, Filmology Finance
Distributed by Well Go USA Entertainment (United States)
Release date : Oct 6, 2023  (United States)
Running time : 85 minutes

Viewed on October 1, 2023 (Fantastic Fest press screener)

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