‘Genesis’ VOD Review

Stars: Olivia Grant, Chiké Okonkwo, John Hannah, Warren Brown, Ed Stoppard, Ben Shafik, Rick Warden, William Snape, Wendy Glenn, Stefano Braschi, Amrita Acharia, Paul Nicholls | Written and Directed by Freddie Hutton-Mills, Bart Ruspoli

While attending MCM London Comic Con back in May we went to as many panels as possible. We got to check out the creators of a Scottish based web series called Cops and Monsters, who were kicking off there crowdfund that weekend. Monkey Tennis Podcast were recording a live show (it was okay, a 365 live podcast would of been better!). We checked out Dark Rising, a new upcoming superhero show with a real difference. There was also the panel for Night Shooters, which looked like a great martial arts/comedy flick. And then there was this, Genesis. We were immediately intrigued because, well lets not mess about, John Hannah is in the movie and that for me warranted checking out the panel. John Hannah is fantastic British actor that you always know, even if the movie is not the best, his performance will be a shining example.

Then we got the trailer for Genesis and and my immediate reaction was “That looks right up my street”. Fast forward a month or two later and I have had the chance to watch the flick and give it my thoughts. Cheeky little spoiler for you here, John Hannah is good but this flick has a pretty damn strong cast.

We are a few years into the future, its 2069 and some sort of chemical end of the world type scenario has played out, the remains of humanity now live underground in EDEN. Where scientists like Dr. Eve Gabriel (Olivia Grant) and politicians like President Pope (Ed Stoppard) seem to be running the show. Yes they are able to go outside but the environment is uninhabitable and the deadly chemical can burn through their safety suits. The scientists do what any reasonable people would do and decide to build ABEL (Chiké Okonkwo) a humanoid life-form that will, of course, be able to with-stand the elements outside.

Meanwhile like any good end of the world apocalyptic story the civilians and the poor have decided to rise up led enigmatic Paul Brooks (John Hannah) in a sort of “Edgar Friendly” type role (you weren’t expecting a Demolition Man reference when you opened this review were you? BOOM!). However when Abel goes rogue its up to Eve and Paul to figure out the solution to stopping the worst case scenario.

Sounds exciting right?. Well truthfully Genesis is. Yes, the movie has its flaws – as independent cinema often does, however when your dealing with the lower end of the budget scheme you tend to look past the nit-picky stuff, because what this movie does have in spades is a well crafted world building story, that promises to have all the trappings of a potential franchise. Then there are the performances.

I was, or course, looking forward to seeing some standard John Hannah but what I also got was an excellent ensemble of actors I have seen on-screen before but seemingly never to their full potential – which is what they live up to here. Olivia Grant and Ed Stoppard are superb driving this movie, with an especially subtle but nuanced role from Grant that I just ate up all the way through. Then there is Paul Nicholls, yes that Paul Nicholls (Eastenders) who is great in the movie I love being surprised by actors like Nicholls. Quick cheeky mention to one of the hardest grafting Brit actors out there Warren Brown, you have seen him in just about everything ever (including The Bill) and he never disappoints.

Ultimately, Genesis a strong recommend, I loved the world building, the strong performances and to be honest I can see a future for a good sequel and possible franchise. Let’s see where this goes. Give it a shot!

Lionsgate UK release Genesis on Digital Download July 9th and DVD on July 16th.