‘The Fix’ (2024) Review: Complex Themes But Lacks Emotion
Kelsey Egan’s The Fix is set in a dystopian future where over-industrialisation has ruined the Earth’s atmosphere and the commercialisation of air by greedy corporations is used to make a profit. It follows an up-and-coming supermodel who deals with her mother’s death and takes a drug that changes her life forever.
Egan’s directorial debut Glasshouse explores a family living in a glasshouse and strictly adheres to rules by surviving a dangerous airborne neurochemical that erases people’s memories. In her new sci-fi film, the South African director takes a new spin on air pollution and corporate greed through efficient worldbuilding and interesting themes that reflect the world’s current issues.
On the first anniversary of her mother’s death, Ella (Grace van Dien, Stranger Things) is feeling troubled. Her father is overseas and her boyfriend, Tully (Tafara Nyatsanza), and best friend, Gina (Robyn Rossouw), are not comforting her. Instead of staying home alone, her father urges her to go to a party. When she arrives, she finds Tully and Gina in the bathtub and finds out that he has been cheating on her with her best friend. Ella is furious at both of them. Tully, who is a drug dealer, accidentally leaves experimental drugs in the bathroom and Ella gulps it down.
The next day, Ella’s body begins to have reactions to the drugs; she mutates. She also finds out that she is being chased after two groups that are interested in the drug, but she discovers the potential to save the entire world.
While The Fix explores the themes of greed and exploitation from corporations, the greedy CEO (Daniel Sharman) is the main antagonist in the movie. He wants to change the world for the better. But in the attempt to do so, it means destroying everything around him. His desperation leads him to do things that aren’t ethical because he wants to produce a cure that will help the elite gain access to it instead of marginalised people.
Egan does a fantastic job explaining the realities of the world. Because of the toxic air, everyone has to wear a mask, which is fashionably designed based on the characters’ personalities. Air is their last commodity but in this dystopian future, everything about the way of life has been destroyed due to over-industrialisation. The world this movie is currently set in is a dangerous predicament that could further destroy the human race.
Additionally, Egan explores the class differences and struggles to get the drug. Ella is part of the elite class. She has better access to healthcare and takes a pill to survive the harsh world. Meanwhile, a group that lives in a crowded neighbourhood aren’t able to gain access to the drug produced by the big corporations.
So, instead of waiting they take matters into their own hands. In a sequence, Ella goes to the hospital to ask a healthcare professional about her mysterious mutations. Instead of helping her, they call security and Ella makes a run for it. She ends up in a quarantined section of the hospital where they have kept the most vulnerable patients. A little girl is on the brink of death, waiting for a cure that can help her ease the pain. This scene helps the audience to understand the difficult realities of the lower class who cannot afford healthcare.
Even if The Fix examines these themes, the performances aren’t strong enough to portray the growing tension in the story. Egan’s story has emotional themes of friendship and heartbreak. The script isn’t convincing enough for the audience to sympathise with these characters. It’s difficult to connect with their struggles because there’s no heart in their portrayal.
The Fix explores complex themes that are relevant to today’s many issues. It’s a good exploration of worldly themes blended with science-fiction and fantasy elements. The ideas behind this film aren’t so far away from this dystopian future. It’s a fascinating story that examines class struggles, greedy corporations, and Ella’s changing DNA, which could potentially change the world. It’s an adrenaline rush that keeps the audience on their toes.
Here are some reading materials to learn about the genocide, ethnic cleansing and illegal occupation in Palestine:
Books about Palestine on Verso Books
Books about Palestine on Haymarket Books
More reading materials on Palestine
Operation Olive Branch is another useful resource to help families evacuate to Egypt and buy medicine and food by donating directly to their GoFundMe links.
You can also join the BDS (Boycott, Divest, Sanction) movement, a Palestinian-led movement as a form of resistance to Israeli occupation:
Read about Readers for Accountability on their website.
