Fantasia '16 Film Review - We Go On

A large full page ad appears prevalently in a major Los Angeles newspaper; the headline $30,000 reward to anyone that can show proof of the afterlife. The author Miles Grissom (Clark Freeman) who suffers from just about every phobia in the book with Thanatophobia, the fear of dying sitting at the top of the list. He will take an angel, a ghost or a demon as proof. He also warns that he will know if you're lying due to his job as a video editor that should help him catch any tricks. Miles gets over 1000 responses to his ad he narrows the number to 3 with the help of is feisty and protective mom Charlotte (Annette O'Toole) that he plans to check out.

Fear is the major theme of the film. It can consume, isolate and make lives completely miserable. The key point of the production is to get to a level to cope enough to make it reasonably through the day. Miles plan is to find something to help him alleviate his biggest fear thus allowing him to deal with the minor ones as well.

Two of the three finalists do not have an answer for Miles while the third's response is to chaotic coupled by  a negative comment from Charlotte forces Miles to leave the scene. Back at home he circles back to an odd voice message that leads him in the direction that he wants to go.

Co directors Jesse Holland and Andy Miton present a story that's more in the realm of the supernatural than the horror. The narrative presents a different type of hero. A grown man that has multiple flaws is paralyzed by fear for large chunks of the piece relying on his mother for protection.

Annette O'Toole commands the screen as Charlotte. She has enough backbone for both herself and her son. She speaks frankly and plainly to all ad respondents. Her clearly stated goal is to make sure her son does not get fooled or ripped off. Giovanna Zacaris turns in a strong performance as (Josephina) She works in a family restaurant by day but is surrounded by different spirits who are constantly trying to communicate. She makes a connection with a close family member of Miles but protective Charlotte stomps on her ability.

Subtlety and nuance set the tone for We Go On. There are no big effects or grand events to provide proof of the existence of the afterlife. The goal instead is to get Miles what he needs to get on with his life which the narrative succeeds in providing.

** 1/2 Out of 4.

We Go On | Jesse Holland / Andy Mitton | U.S.A. | 2016 | 89 Minutes.

Tags: Phobias, Reward, Afterlife, Ghosts, Angels, Demons, Funeral, Horror, Thriller.