The Fix is an indie sci-fi film from South Africa that features an intriguing premise, with stilted performances and direction. The film stars Grace Van Dien, who recently found viral success for her role in Stranger Things as Chrissy Cunningham. Now in a leading role, Van Dien steps up to play a supermodel living in a dystopian future where the air is toxic.

The Fix, released on June 23, 2024, follows an image-conscious partygoer who experiences a shocking transformation after taking a mysterious drug. Struggling to revert the effects, she uncovers her role as a vital element in saving humanity.Director Kelsey Egan Release Date November 22, 2024 Writers Kelsey Egan Cast Grace Van Dien , Terri Lane , Daniel Sharman , Nicole Fortuin , Caleb Payne , Keenan Arrison , Ryan Kruger , Dan Hirst , Hanni Heinrich , DeVille Vannik , Tafara Nyatsanza , Matthew Van Leeve , Robyn Rossouw , Zinzi Lennon-Ritchie , Duane Behrens , Litha Bam , Aidan Scott , Shane John Kruger , Greteli Fincham Character(s) Ella , Russ , Uncredited , Angela , Max , Solomon , Ryan , Aethera Corp Perimeter Guard , Dr. Hanli , Aethera Corp Security , Donovan , Gina , Durrant , Troy , Tamsin Runtime 98 Minutes Expand

The Fix explores a world where a toxic gas has overtaken the planet, resulting in the need for everyone to wear masks to not get more sick. However, a revolutionary medication company is able to keep people safe as long as they can afford a constant supply of their meds to counter the effects of the toxins. Meanwhile, an underground group of scientists find a brand-new way to immunize people from the toxic effects, but it comes with some serious side effects.

The Fix Delivers Rapid Fire Worldbuilding

For any expansive dystopian sci-fi film or show, there is a hurdle to overcome when it comes to establishing the world and rules in the story. Because this reality exists outside the familiar, the movie needs to clearly highlight what is different, what is the same, and how things work. The Fix understands this is a necessity, and with a film that contains such an extensive premise, there is a lot to explain in the first act. However, the movie rushes through this exposition in the first ten minutes.

Most of the interesting sci-fi elements come from the impressively rendered futuristic devices that litter the film, and distract attention away from the narrative and onto the gadgets.

This is somewhat overwhelming as it jumps between characters, with stacked dialogue and several twists and turns that all arrive in quick succession. Had the film slowed down the pace at first, it could have had a much more satisfying and even pacing, but it’s rushed and dense. But it’s not dense in terms of richness, as the story is fairly simple. Most of the interesting sci-fi elements come from the impressively rendered futuristic devices throughout the film, which turn our attention away from the narrative and puts it toward the gadgets.

Meanwhile, the story seems to rapidly progress through roughly cut-together scenes that make it feel uneven and unfocused. Fortunately, the third act slows down a lot, having burned through a lot of the story, and allows us some time to breathe and catch up just as it reaches the conclusion. Overall, this pacing makes the film a difficult watch, but there is no denying that there are interesting elements being explored in the narrative.

The Fix Gets Points For Imagination & Creativity

Grace Van Dien is the highlight of the film. As she undergoes a terrifying transformation, her character attempts to uncover the big players who are warring to get control of the air that people breathe. On one hand, rebels hope to make a cure accessible to everyone, but there will be significant consequences. On the other hand, profits take the lead with a short-term solution that requires constant dosing to remain effective. And in the middle of all this is a model who accidentally finds herself amid the chaos.

Grace Van Dien is the highlight of the film.

The writing is not particularly strong, as the flow of the story, the interactions between characters, and the pacing could all have had significant improvements with a revised script, but Van Dien does the most she can with the role. Additionally, the visual effects are impressive and the make-up and costume designs give more vibrancy and life to the world being built. It’s just a shame that the writing wasn’t a little more polished to complement the story.

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The Fix’s vision for an established sci-fi world is there, but it feels like a vague representation of something that could have been much bigger. The inspiration and creativity that went into the film is deserving of recognition and the lead character is expertly cast, but with some subtle adjustments, the movie could have been elevated to a much higher standard. The film is unique and intriguing, but it struggles to tell its own story in an effective way.

The Fix is available to stream on digital on November 22.

ProsGrace Van Dien delivers a compelling performance as the lead.The creativity behind the film is excellent. ConsThe rest of the cast struggle to convincingly perform.The pacing and writing for the film are confusing and stilted.