In Vitro (2025) - Film Review

      In Vitro, 2025.

      Directed by Will Howarth & Tom McKeith.

      Featuring Will Howarth, Talia Zucker, and Ashley Zukerman.

      SYNOPSIS:

      In a secluded homestead set in the near future, cattle farmers Layla and Jack uncover a troubling force on their land.

      In Vitro is an unsettling work of Australian cinema that delves into innovative farming methods and the disturbing repercussions of tampering excessively with biology. It also highlights the suffocating sense of peril faced when residing in an isolated area devoid of robust community support, merging a high-tech nightmare with relational trauma.

      Taking place in a typical ‘near future’ dystopia, this sci-fi/horror narrative follows Layla (Talia Zuker) and Jack (Ashley Zukerman), struggling cattle farmers. The escalating climate crises and a deteriorating economic situation compel them to explore new avenues. These new ventures, primarily initiated by Jack without Layla's full awareness or agreement, involve cloning technology to augment their livestock and simplify their farming efforts.

      At least, that’s the intention. It becomes evident that something is amiss in their relationship, and the true horror depicted in the script centers around how a partnership can deteriorate under intense pressures. Indeed, the situation escalates significantly about halfway through this slow-burn film.

      The film thoroughly examines the concept of cloning technology and its potential drawbacks. Strong performances from lead actors Talia Zuker and Ashley Zukerman effectively ground the story, providing a stark illustration of a world that may be imminent. Their portrayals resonate with growing paranoia and the moral complexities associated with cloning for profit.

      It remains to be seen whether In Vitro will resonate deeply with audiences who may not fully empathize with the specific challenges faced by rural cattle farmers. Nonetheless, irrespective of one’s views on land use for cattle farming, the looming presence of cloning technology is undoubtedly set to become a pressing issue for society to grapple with in the near future.

      The film encapsulates profound fears related to this scientific frontier, touching on universal anxieties surrounding unchecked progress and disturbed nature. While its atmosphere is decidedly grim and contemplative, it is punctuated by several genuinely frightening sequences that jolt the viewer from its somber reflections. The movie serves as a timely and haunting cautionary tale, alerting to the potential shadows hidden within scientific endeavors and the delicate nature of human connections in isolation and extreme conditions.

      Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★

      Robert W. Monk