There are films in which grief is a challenge and tragedies have meaning. There are also films where the deceased comes back to life. In Aporia, written and directed by Jared Moshe, a life is restored, and the continuum is challenged in the aftermath of a tragedy. The film involves scientific knowledge of the past and the present, both of which are filled with drama and the turmoil of frustrations x Aporia is a film that leaves mixed feelings because of how the “good” and the “bad” open doors to aconfused reality for everyone involved.

The film begins with Sophie (played by Judy Greer). She is a single mother with a young daughter, Riley (played by Faithe Herman). Sophie’s husband Mal (played by Edi Gathegi) has been killed in a car accident. The months following are emotionally stressful for Sophie and Riley. Riley is acting outand Sophie is struggling with work. Above all, both are simply devastated and depressed. Sophie’s friend Jabir (played by Payman Maadi) reveals his invention to Sophie. It is a time-bending machine that changes the course of events. Because Jabir is a former physicist, he uses science to put pieces together to change reality in the present. This means that Sophie can bring Mal back. However, are there consequences?

The decisions which Sophie and Jabir make can have negative outcomes. Jabir consistently uses scientific terms and is always talking about how particles, quantum reactions, and energies are the components of importance for the film’s operations. Sophie finds this mentally stressful. The writing in Aporia is vivid in describing how grief may lead to the impulse to feel connected. Sophie wants Mal back. In the film it is said, “There is no undo button,” and from that point on many unexpected outcomes occur. Once the machine begins to generate, it throws many irreparable consequences into Sophie’s life…with or without bringing Mal back to life.

The film is intriguing in the way it portrays changing environments. The science behind the film is solid, but not exactly amazing. Sophie’s environment shifts—her settings are not always the same, her routines in her own life are a mess, and her world is just scattered with confusion. The reality of the present opens more dangerous doors. Aporia is a bit like a scientific Tetris game filled with various treacherous doors. Aporia is a film full of curiosities which lead to thoughts aboutwhat could possibly go wrong. The movie also made me think about what exactly is life-threatening for Sophie, Jabir, Riley, and Mal.

The theories of the machine may not be enough to prove that the machine is safe or accurate. It is all in the hands of Sophie to figure out what is right. Aporia is a film that dives into a world of the unknown…one where science has both pros and cons. Overall, the film is an enjoyable experience to the extent it is a sci-fi with a strong narrative. Three out of four stars for Aporia.