Review of Beyond the Black Rainbow (2010) by Hayden P — 30 Jun 2018

Beyond The Black Rainbow is perhaps the most underrated science-fiction gem of the modern era of the 2010's. This film is most definitely the 2001: A Space Oddyssey of our time, something that is so visually hypnotic and intellectually complex that many, MANY people will never finish it or care to contemplate it's themes and metaphors nor care to actually embrace what the film is exactly going for.

This film has a very simple, straight-forward story when you strip away everything else surrounding it. It's a story about a one Dr. Barry Nyle and his obsession with test subject and daughter of the founder of Arboria Industries, Dr Arboria, Elena and how ultimately his grip on reality because of what the organisation has done to him in the past and his lust for control over someone that succeeded him in achieving transcendence ultimately leads to him falling into madness and destroying everything around him. However that is surface level because on a deeper level this film delves into themes of control, the costs of psychadelic drug addictions, religious philosophy vs scientific philosophy and lust vs reason, reality vs escapism. In ways that are too complex and time-consuming for me to express in a simple review I won't delve into it all but trust me it's all there if you seek it and delve deeper into all the allegories and metaphors strewn throughout this film and the director himself has expressed them thoroughly.

This film is deliberate in it's slow-paced nature, from the visuals to the dialogue to the music, everything is trance like, it's cinematic hypnotism and I guarantee regardless whether you liked this film or not, some images will be burned into your memory long after viewing it. The more you watch it and begin to understand the director's vision, the more you appreciate what this film is and what it strove to be. No film has ever intrigued me this much and my god, it's visually impressive in every way. They way Cosmatos encapsulates 80's retro styles of film-making is incredible and harkens back to sci-fi films such as Blade Runner and of course films like A Clockwork Orange and 2001 perfectly. There is simply nothing else like it out there and made my eyes stay glued to the screen no matter what the entire duration of the film.

Beyond The Black Rainbow is a film that should've been appreciated far more and for me personally this is a very special film that will forever be one of my all time favourities and hopefully in time especially with the release of Cosmatos sophomore feature, Mandy, will become a cult classic and be acknowledged for the brilliant masterwork it is. Equal parts beautiful and darkly disturbing, this is something that should be experienced with an open mind and your fullest attention and patience, the payoff in the final act was well worth it.