★ 4 / 10
In a dystopian future, death row inmates are
graeaehorror
In a dystopian future, death row inmates are used like lab rats by a private company who use memory implants to revolutionise the correctional system. Two…
In a dystopian future, death row inmates are used like lab rats by a private company who use memory implants to revolutionise the correctional system. Two prisoners who become subject to the experiment must escape or risk losing their minds forever.
The Protos Experiment is an ambitious independent feature film that recently screened at various film festivals including Another Hole In The Head and Horror-On-Sea. It’s clear directors Brian Avenet-Bradley, Laurence Avenet-Bradley garnered influences from successful franchises when embarking on this production. When mixed with their own ideas, the film makes for an interesting premise.
The majority of characters are presumed to be death row inmates unwillingly enrolled in a medical trial in exchange for a life sentence in prison. From the opening scenes it’s clear they have no recollection of their former lives or how they ended up in this situation, and I feel had a backstory been provided, these characters could have been stronger and we as an audience may have felt a connection.
The narrative was overrun by a confusing structure. With multiple cutaways and changes in scene, it was sometimes hard to determine what was happening. Although not ideal, it’s clear there are some great themes at play and with a little editing they could be more effective.
Visually the production team do well to achieve effective set pieces with limited budget and resources. When you add high energy sequences and some strong moments of performance, it highlights what can work well with independent cinema.
Overall, this is a wild premise with a good dystopian feel. It has all the makings of a great film with some finetuning and strict editing.
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★ 1 / 10
Absolutely just awful
The Protos Experiment is a film that aims to tap into the same psychological-horror space made popular by Saw, but unfortunately it never comes close to…
The Protos Experiment is a film that aims to tap into the same psychological-horror space made popular by Saw, but unfortunately it never comes close to understanding why that formula worked in the first place. From the outset, the movie feels like a hollow imitation, replacing tension and ingenuity with cheap props, plastic restraints, and uninspired setups. Instead of creating dread or suspense, the film quickly settles into a repetitive and uninvolving rhythm that makes it difficult to take anything seriously.The acting is one of the film's most glaring weaknesses. Nearly every performance feels unpolished and awkward, as if the cast was assembled out of convenience rather than suitability. There's a strong "friends making a movie" energy throughout, which might work for a passion project, but it completely undermines a story that depends on fear, desperation, and emotional stakes. None of the characters feel grounded or believable, making it nearly impossible to care about what happens to them.The screenplay is equally problematic. Rather than building tension through character motivation or escalating danger, the script jumps from idea to idea without cohesion. Plot points are introduced and abandoned with little thought, and the dialogue rarely serves any real purpose beyond filling silence. What should be a tightly wound psychological thriller instead feels messy and unfocused, never committing to a clear theme or narrative direction.Direction doesn't help stabilize the film either. The pacing is erratic, the tone inconsistent, and the visual choices lack intention. Low-budget filmmaking doesn't automatically doom a movie, but The Protos Experiment fails to use its limitations creatively. There's no sense of atmosphere or claustrophobia, and the film never finds a visual identity that could compensate for its shortcomings elsewhere.Ultimately, The Protos Experiment is a misfire on nearly every level. It misunderstands its influences, lacks compelling performances, and offers a screenplay that never connects or engages. While low-budget horror can sometimes produce surprising gems, this film isn't one of them. It's a frustrating watch that never delivers suspense, excitement, or originality, and it's difficult to recommend to anyone outside of sheer curiosity.
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4.1/10
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