The Protos Experiment
A Review by Aaron Barrocas

The Protos Experiment is the latest film from producing duo Brian & Laurence (Lo) Avenet-Bradley. They’ve been making films together for over 20 years at this point - Lo as cinematographer, and Brian as writer, director, and occasionally editor. Their previous feature, 2018’s Echoes of Fear, earned awards at festivals throughout the country. They continue to polish their filmmaking and storytelling style, and The Protos Experiment is an interesting step in a different direction.

This property is not only a film, but a novel, and the film and the novel were developed simultaneously, each shaping the other’s creation, with the book’s released version heavily influenced by the movie’s early cuts. The book is written by Simon Clark (who is also a screenwriter on the film), and can currently be found at major online booksellers. And if your library doesn’t have it, go ahead and do Simon Clark and team a favor and request they order it.

The movie follows several test subjects/prisoners as they attempt to escape the torturous physical and mental experiments being conducted upon them, despite their memories being entirely wiped – so they can’t recall where they are, why they are there, and how long it has been since they lived a normal life. It’s heavily science-fiction, with strong notes of psychological thriller. The content and themes are dystopian - the stuff of current day nightmares. The visuals, however, are generally not slick and shiny reflective robots. We get mountains, caves, and very basic spaces that are lit, dressed, and shot inventively. One particularly visually striking scene contains a black floor, darkness, and selectively narrowing spotlights that our heroes must remain in or risk violent attack - in an almost Squid Game style of cruelty. Scenes like this are where it’s clear that Brian and Lo wanted to challenge themselves. They had a semi-futuristic science fiction story to tell, and an indie budget that they refused to treat as a deterrent to the world they planned to create. I will speak very carefully about that world, as the movie works best if you are learning as it is being revealed. There are many twists and surprises as we learn of the situations that the characters are in and why.

The cast is led by Kyra (Anja Akstin). As a repeat subject in a physically threatening and torturous experiment (I can spoil that part because of the title), Kyra and her frequent co-subject John (Fred Thomas Jr.) find a bond that elevates their chances of success. These two have extremely difficult character arcs, for reasons that you’ll understand when you see the film, and the story’s success or failure strongly rests on whether both actors can believably hold true to their characters despite the changes in themselves and in the worlds around them. Kyra and John’s understanding of their circumstances and growth as characters are compelling to watch. They are leading, and we are following.

Ricky Herrera, as Nev, has a notable performance as a constant agitator. From the moment he speaks, something in us chills, as his suggestions are inherently problematic. But he plays the role honestly and earnestly. If his intentions are not sincere, Herrera does not feel the need to share this with us. He buys into his role and allows us to question him based on his actions. No winks are necessary.

Echoes of Fear lead actress Trista Robinson is memorable in her role as Amber, a wildly unstable character who seems stuck in her own childhood. Trista pulls off a disconcerting, creepy performance that keeps you constantly uncertain as to what she might do, or where her loyalties might lie. Thanks to a clever script, she is given the opportunity to have a very wide-ranging performance. In addition to this, Trista is also listed in the credits as Casting Director, which she should also be commended for, as the entertainment industry veteran-filled cast truly carries the weight of the movie comfortably.

Corey Landis plays The Experimenter, and there’s not much that can be said about the role without spoiling the movie. However, you won’t find The Experimenter unfamiliar or unrealistic. His character, and the arc it takes, will help ground you in the fact that this movie is not as far-fetched as it may seem.

Something you may not notice, but it deserves recognition, is Benedikt Brydern’s score. I’ve seen the movie twice. The first time I watched the movie, I couldn’t have told you afterward what the score sounded like. And oddly, in this case, that’s a sign of a truly strong score. Brydern’s synthesized compositions accompany each moment perfectly - accentuating the fear and intensity without crossing the line. Much like editing, the best accompaniment is oftentimes invisible. Eyes closed - this is music worthy of enjoyment as its own entity. But place it as it was meant to be placed, and it is an essential building block in every scene of the Protos Experiment.

The film works on some very basic levels. You will want to know what happens next, and you will find yourself invested in each risk the characters take. That said, the visuals are the standout in this movie. Striking dark and light contrast in every scene. Characters falling in and out of darkness. Aesthetically delightful multicolor lit visors that control a person’s actions. Painstakingly considered costume design that could easily be from the past or future 30 years. Again, their locations were limited, and they ensured that what they would do within those spaces would not be.

The Protos Experiment won’t be for everybody. It does have a decidedly science-fiction vibe to it, and it’s a slow burn at times - neither of which is noted as a negative, as not every film is for every viewer. The movie has a lot to say – much of it seeming more accurate with each passing day. It will strike a chord for people who are concerned about the state of the world, end-stage capitalism, and unchecked power in the wrong hands. The experiment itself becomes secondary to the reasons behind the experiment’s existence, and the way all of that is handled is fascinating. The pain and frustration our heroes experience make The Protos Experiment an admittedly uncomfortable journey, but worth the time and emotional investment.

I’ll be giving this movie 4 out of 5 traumatized test subjects, and I recommend you give it just under 90 minutes of your time.

Aaron Barrocas is an award-winning screenwriter, filmmaker, and editor living in Los Angeles. He has spent the past 25 years as an active part of the entertainment industry.
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