Review of eXistenZ (1999) by Rich A — 21 Sep 2011

Blown away to the point that I can't really take everything apart and figure out exactly what Cronenberg is trying to say. eXistenZ is obviously a play on the word existentialism. Existentialism is the philosophy of our existence and individualism in things such as free will.

Allegra and Ted play through a game that brings on a new reality. Throughout this whole thing the new gamer, Ted, is completely amazed by this new dimension. The first time he goes inside of eXistenZ he looks down at his hands and takes a deep breath.

I don't know what Cronenberg does here that's so special, but it felt like I was going into this new reality with him. The story goes that these characters are running away from a group of people who want to kill Allegra because they will get $5 million.

While they are running away they have to figure out how to get into the game and stop whatever is changing the game. The game could possibly have a way to bleed into reality. What Cronenberg has done here is create so many layers that it's hard to tell what he means by every single thing.

For example, the sexuality behind the bioports. They are licking the parts that connect to them, and Ted even licks Allegra's bioport hole. There is a layer of sexuality laid in this film. I guess what doesn't work for me is some of the dialogue and acting.

There were some moments that were just awkward, such as Allegra opening her mouth when she explains why the bioports can't get infected. The rules of the game are also explained well, but the companies are totally confusing.

It's like Cronenberg was making sure you would have to watch it more than once. But I walked out of this film stuck in my mind. What reality is what? These characters don't seem to know where they are, and neither do we.

Typically this is a bad thing, but it works for eXistenZ and the theme that it's trying to get across.