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| Caitlin Acken Taylor as MIA in LUCID |
Based on the 2021 short film by the same name, LUCID paints the artistic process as a form of surgical dissection, painful beyond description but necessary for continued life.
Mia Sunshine Jones (Caitlin Acken Taylor) feels a creative block hovering over her like a shadowy void. Desperate to appease her own inner critic and break through the veil, she takes the advice of a psychic named Syd (Mackenzie Lemire/Vivian Vanderpuss) and begins dosing on Lucid, a candy elixir with the power to help her get in touch with her full self. But opening the door also reawakens memories she's shut away for a reason, and dark forces threaten to overcome Mia's world.
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| Caitlin Acken Taylor as MIA in LUCID |
Co-creators Deanna Milligan and Ramsey Fendall set their film in the 90s using a combination of grunge and punk rock aesthetic. The film includes crackles, pops, and imperfections, reminding us of the days when the VHS tape we are watching might have been recorded on top of the basketball game. Rounded corners in the aspect ratio could come from a camcorder, the pride and joy of camera dads everywhere. Mia's dream sequences appear as if they are 3D collages being made, captured by stop-animation. Results -- LUCID like a celebration of the analog era, when mix tapes, zines, and slam books ruled the world.
But there's also an overall impression of repressed rage that comes across in the way the images are captured. It's the modern equivalent of German expressionism, with exaggerated angles and unfriendly faces shot from below, conveying the stuff of nightmares. Speaking of rage, Caitlin Acken Taylor, in her portrayal of Mia, embodies the grunge era in her dress and interactions with the world. The world is an unjust place, and Mia, with her safety pin-altered clothing and thick eyeliner, isn't taking any nonsense. Either help or get out of the way.
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| A still from LUCID |
Like the 2024 horror film LONGLEGS, LUCID is made by 1970s kids looking back on that era and trying to contend with the ghosts in our past. The 1970s was a time when young adults sought to find a path free from the constraints of World War II values like tradition and obligation. They saw themselves as free birds and explorers. They turned to cults, spiritual enlightenment, and free love. But these choices often meant kids born of that era were raised by parents struggling with inner demons. Unable to comprehend the forces driving their parents, these 1970s kids grew to be angry young adults in the 1990s, filled with rage but not sure why.
Mia's search for the missing pieces of herself leads to finding answers to that question. It's a transformative, deeply uncomfortable odyssey. Her ultimately triumphant quest is a celebration of art, healing, and putting the ghosts to rest.
Screening in its World Premier during Fantasia Film Fest 2025 in the Septentrion Shadows section. See the film detail page for more information.
Final score: 3.5 out of 5
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