Invention Review: The Drama by Courtney Stephens and Callie Hernandez Exudes a Captivating Charm

      Note: This review was initially published as part of our 2024 Berlinale coverage. Invention will be released in theaters on April 18.

      Grief manifests in various forms. In Courtney Stephens’ Invention, speculative fiction intertwines with personal narratives to investigate how we cope with loss. The focus is on Callie Hernandez, an actress and filmmaker whose father passed away from a COVID-related illness in 2021. The film features a significant amount of archival footage of him, primarily from television clips showcasing his role as a telemarketer for alternative healing practices. However, Stephens and Hernandez elevate the narrative by proposing an alternate reality. In this imagined scenario, a patent for an electromagnetic healing device is bequeathed to her in her father’s will. The film defies easy categorization: it addresses themes of death and mourning while also examining people’s susceptibility to conspiracy theories.

      Invention opens with Hernandez navigating the most ordinary posthumous tasks. She consults her father’s lawyer, who informs her about the patent, and later meets his associates, many of whom had invested in his endeavors over the years. At first, Hernandez appears indifferent, but as she learns more about the device—and observes others eager to claim it—the more her curiosity grows. Could it be that the man she was lovingly skeptical of was right all along? As Invention takes Hernandez deeper into this exploration, it effectively highlights the misleading comfort of narratives, drawing the viewer into its web.

      If the intriguing premise were all that Invention provided, it would still be engaging. However, the film excels not only as entertainment but also in its aesthetic and conceptual execution. Stephens’ use of 16mm film beautifully complements both the archival footage and Hernandez’s unclear mental state. While her appearance may not be an intentional choice, her familiarity and celebrity contribute to the film’s unique appeal. Additionally, casting fellow directors (including Joe Swanberg and Caveh Zahedi, with Sahm McGlynn impressing in a brief romantic role) adds a layer to the storytelling. Stephens injects some of her own voice and vision into the final cut, allowing it to transcend its boundaries. Even the visuals of the device, which buzzes and glows in a crimson room, exude a captivating allure.

      One element that appears genuine in Invention is Hernandez’s father’s belief in his teachings—something the filmmakers wisely choose not to ridicule or denounce. In a moment of candid reflection, Hernandez remembers how her father would make amusing noises whenever he detected energy in the air, such as when someone sang the national anthem at a game. Revisiting this memory reveals a profound affection for his quirks, intertwined with conflicting emotions. How do we grieve such contradictions? Invention is still seeking that answer.

      Invention premiered at the 2024 Locarno Film Festival and will be released on April 18.