Every once in a blue moon, we’re fortunate enough to get a film that breaks a mold. A project that not only makes a statement but has the ability to set a precedent. Thanks to director Brock Heasley, audiences around the world will finally see the truth for themselves: Christianity and science fiction can peacefully coexist.
The Shift follows the path of Kevin Garner (Kristoffer Polaha) as he embarks on an epic journey to reunite with his wife Molly (Elizabeth Tabish). The idea behind the film is to liken it to the story of Job, which actually does a disservice to its authenticity. Hear me out: when you’re a company marketing faith-based films and your opening description is “a modern-day retelling of Job”, expectations are going to be heightened. I am very familiar with the story of Job, and this friends, is not it. But what the film does offer is a glimpse of what a few choice struggles of Job’s may have looked like in a sci-fi film. Is it the exact story of Job to the letter? No. Does it show a man struggling with his faith being tested? Yes. So in that instance, you can liken it to Job (his story is even mentioned in the film), but don’t go into this thinking you’re going to hear from Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar or you’ll be greatly disappointed.
In the film, Kevin has his life thrown into literal chaos by The Benefactor (Neal McDonough), who “shifts” him to a different reality. The film dips into the popular “multiverse” pool which, at times, can be a bit difficult to follow. But the strength of the film comes from Kevin’s relationships with the characters. His back-and-forth with The Benefactor is, in my opinion, one of the best parts of the film. His direct offers of an easy life, riches, and king-style treatment parallel that of Jesus getting tempted in the wilderness in the Book of Matthew.
You might recognize Polaha from Prime Video’s Shelter and Elizabeth Tabish from The Chosen, but that’s just the beginning. Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings, Stranger Things) plays a character named Gabriel, Paras Patel (The Chosen) and Jordan Alexandra (Boiling Point, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) play Rajit and Priya Nadir, and John Billingsly (True Blood, 24) plays a character named Russo. McDonough puts on the performance of a lifetime and at the very least, should be “considered” during awards season in the coming months.
The story is set in a dystopian future where The Benefactor rules everything. There’s suffering everywhere you look and you never see a sunny day. Basic supplies are scarce and living conditions are despicable. Through all of this, Kevin has only two things to lean on: his love for Molly and his faith in God.
The Shift gets an 8 out of 10. So yes, there’s a dystopian future, technology (a nod to science), and even guns; all of the so-called Christian “no-nos” in one fell swoop. Now, why mention all of that? Because none of it takes away from the message that all of us suffer in one way or the other and should be allowed to lean on our faith. The film is rated PG-13 because of the light gun violence. I use the word “light” because it’s nowhere near the amount you’d see in a mainstream action or sci-fi film. With that being said, I wouldn’t take a kids ministry to see this.
The Shift is in theaters today
-Jon Jones
Photos: Courtesy of Angel Studios