Summary

Divinity is visually stunning and showcases a unique blend of classic sci-fi motifs with a new perspective on the genre. The plot of Divinity may be straightforward, but the film’s fast editing and overall eccentricity might not appeal to all viewers. The performances in Divinity, led by Scott Bakula and Stephen Dorff, are exceptional and contribute to the film’s distinct tone and universe.

Divinity has the energy of a bad acid trip, but man does it look good. Writer-director Eddie Alcazar (Perfect) has a very particular vision that blends classic sci-fi motifs with his new perspective on the genre. The film’s visual style is stunning and gives it a wholly original look. Though there is too much going on in the script at times, the sheer ambition is a marvel to behold. Performance-wise, Alcazar has brought together a great cast and puts them in an environment they embody perfectly. The world-building and black-and-white film stock in Divinity is enough to get any fan of truly weird movies excited.

Scientist Sterling Peirce (Scott Bakula) is conducting his own research and is on a quest to create what he hopes will make the world a better place. Years later, his son Jackson (Stephen Dorff) takes over and is in charge of manufacturing and selling what is now called Divinity. The product makes humans physically perfect and lengthens their life span. One day, two beings descend from the sky, and they begin to wreak havoc on Jackson, claiming they know a secret about Divinity. As the beings — Moises Arias and Jason Genao, both named Star — begin to learn more about the world they land on, their intentions become clear as more of their past is revealed.

Divinity is all over the place, but it still works as a cohesive piece of art. Whether it is a cohesive film is a different story. The plot itself is quite straightforward but the way it’s being told might ostracize some viewers. The fast editing and overall eccentricity of the film style can be overwhelming, but at 88 minutes the runtime saves the film from ever truly derailing. Thematically, Divinity is uncomplicated and the idea of what it costs to be perfect is on full display. In this way, the film shines as it is more concerned with style than substance, but in a good way. You can think as deeply as you want about what is under the surface of Divinity or you can totally ignore it — the overall vision is still apparent and effective.

Alcazar has made a collage of science fiction at every level of the filmmaking process. Visually, Divinity looks like a myriad of films. It has the imaginative, yet flat backgrounds of films like Jason and the Argonauts but also the practical sets of the original Star Wars trilogy. The work with shadows is phenomenal as the characters’ faces are silhouettes in black but their hair accents in white. In 2023, black-and white seems to be reserved for high dramas like Nebraska or post-theater cuts of films like Logan. Divinity shares little with those films but uses the motif in a more authentic way. Perhaps most spectacularly, there is a shot that goes from claymation to action and back to a more digital claymation. The entire sequence plays out like a horror film mixed with a live-action anime fight scene and proves the film can truly do anything.

Credit the performances given by the entire cast to Alcazar’s direction. Many actors are giving some of the best performances of their careers and come together to make Divinity a universe unto itself. Bakula (Quantum Leap) and Dorff (Somewhere) anchor the film but contributions from Karrueche Tran (Claws), Bella Thorne (Blended), Arias (Kings of Summer), and adult film star Emily Willis are what give Divinity the tone that sets it apart from anything else you will see this year.

Executive produced by Steven Soderbergh (Traffic), it’s no wonder Divinity is capable of such feats. Clearly, the veteran filmmaker believes in Alcazar’s abilities and we should too. From title cards to creature building, the film is a force of nature. There are a few lingering plot lines in need of more attention, but overall everything put to the screen makes up for any of Divinity’s shortcomings. Who knows what’s in store for Alcazar? He just made a movie about everything.

Divinity is in theaters now. The film is 88 minutes long and currently unrated.