Summary
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Infinite is a 2021 science fiction action thriller film which is based on the novel ‘The Reincarnationist Papers’ by D. Eric Maikranz published in 2009. The film excavates deeper into topics of reincarnation, memories, identity, and the relentless battle between order and chaos.
The film begins with Evan McCauley, a character played by Mark Wahlberg, who experiences vivid dreams and hallucinations that are akin to schizophrenia. He is constantly on the move, attempting to escape homelessness. Losing all hope, Evan resorts to criminal activity, only to face arrest during a botched drug deal. But he captures the eye of an enigmatic faction named the” Infinites” who harbors secrets of their own.
The Infinites is a group of superhuman beings who have the unique ability of reincarnation with full memory of their previous lives — and are split into two opposing factions: the “Believers” and “Nihilists.” Believers dedicate their lives towards improving the world, viewing reincarnation as a blessing. Nihilists, led by Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Bathurst, have contrary views. These antagonists seek to end all life on Earth to escape what they consider a never-ending curse.
Bathurst’s quest for the “Egg”, an artifact that can wipe all life from the earth and prevent reincarnation, is relentless. The only person who knew where the Egg’s location was, died guarding it, Heinrich Treadway, a warrior of the Believers. To Evan’s surprise, he is Treadway reincarnated, but with no recollection of his past life.
Evan is rescued by Nora Brightman (Sophie Cookson) who is one of the dedicated members of the Believers. She brings him to the Hub, a secret base run by the organization. Here, Evan starts the processes of skill rediscovery, unlocking memories and skills from the past. One step at a time he begins the recall process, gaining knowledge, combat skills, and understanding the conflict.
As the Nihilists close in on him, Evan must battle not only outside foes, but also his own self-destructive thoughts. He must confront that his schizophrenia was not in fact a mental illness or delusion — it was a reality desperately trying to merge with the present. The film’s final part climaxes with a brutal showdown between Evan and Bathurst. In a grand spectacle of action, including chases and other stunts, Evan manages to retrieve the Egg and secures it permanently.
The film Infinite culminates in Evan fully accepting the realisation of his identity and purpose. With Believers, he is now aligned with, his knowledge is a force for good, ready to be claimed for his destined battle for humanity in subsequent lifetimes.
Cast and Crew
Mark Wahlberg as Evan McCauley / Heinrich Treadway
Wahlberg portrays a sinking man on the brink of collapse. His character evolves into a figure of purpose and clarity as the film progresses, transforming into a warrior.
Chiwetel Ejiofor as Bathuria
Ejiofor captures the tormented antagonist with great precision. Bathurst’s overwhelming loathing for reincarnation gives emotional stakes to the film, adding a sadistic nuance to his menace.
Sophie Cookson as Nora Brightman
As a core member of the Believers, Cookson’s character is smart, fierce, and deeply dedicated. She unites as a mentor and moral compass for Evan.
Jason Mantzoukas as Artisan
Artisan, the offbeat and whimsical techno-savvy genius, is a comedic yet essential member of the Believers. As the group’s historian genius, his work involves the futuristic retrieval of memories and other advanced technologies.
Rupert Friend as Gararrick
A primary antagonist Bathurst’s staunch devotee and one of his secondary antagonists.
Toby Jones as Bryan Porter
A scientist aiding the Believers in their mission to perpetually preserve and enhance memory recovery.
Alongside the Believers and Nihilists, Johannes Haukur Johannesson, Liz Carr, and others join the cast.
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Taking the helm on his first action thriller film is Fuqua, who is widely recognized for Training Day and The Equalizer, known for his touch of stylized action and psychological tortures.
Screenplay: Ian Shorr
Maikranz’s fast paced, visual driven adaptation of Todd Stein’s story directed by Shorr, inspired by the screenplay, is based on a story by the aforementioned author.
Cinematography: Mauro Fiore
With Fiore’s touch, the film has a polished, kinetic appearance, with vivid contrasts of reality and fantasy, aggressive and technologically advanced.
Music: Harry Gregson-Williams
The music intensifies the score for high-octane events, while also providing depth to the emotional journey of the protagonist.
Infinite on IMDb holds a mediocre rating of 5.4 out of 10. Moreover, it was critically described as having mixed to negative reviews or reception. Overall, critics, as well as the audience were divided over the film’s execution of its ambitious premise.
Critical Analysis
A number of critics stated that Wahlberg’s performance, although competent, lacked the necessary emotional depth needed for a character trapped between insanity and self-realization. For the most part, Infinite was accepted as a stand-alone film as it has a very engaging core concept which was valued. The approach to reincarnation along with memories across different life spans in the Infinite had been appreciated as a captivating science fiction idea. Fuqua’s direction preserved the pacing and dynamic energy throughout. Alongside the high-speed chases, the action sequences associated with inventive weaponry were widely acclaimed. This reception, however, was countered by criticism that the film was burdened with vast amounts of exposition and poorly developed supporting characters.
Chiwetel Ejiofor was hailed for his sympathetic and layered performance which had depth redemption arc for the conflicting villain which many spectators endorsed and he was applauded.
To conclude, Infinite is a movie rich in concepts but rather poor in execution. The film integrates philosophy, science fiction, and actionism, but fails to string them together in a coherent narrative. While the movie may not be gratifying for viewers interested in reincarnation and speculative science fiction, its artistic flair does add some appeal.
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