First released in 2010, Beyond the Black Rainbow is a sci-fi horror film that harkens back to “cold” sci-fi movies of the 1970s, most notably George Lucas’ THX 1138. It tells the story of Elena, a young girl with psychic powers trapped in the strangely desolate and shiny scientific research facility known as the Arboria Institute, with only her unstable and sleazy psychologist Dr. Nyle for occasional company. It’s also a satirical screed against New Age ideologies, with the Institute itself and the many science-fiction elements (from pyramids that can focus otherworldly powers to enlightenment through hallucinogens) being played up as elements of a fallen utopian dream with a considerable body count. While it flopped at the box office, it’s acquired something of a cult following for its artistic merits, but is such praise deserved?
Aesthetically, the film is spot-on. The shiny, plastic, multicolored set design of the Arboria Institute, the stark lighting and cinematography, and the droning synth score all form a pleasant and mesmerizing treat for the eyes and the ears. Yet, in spite of (or even because of) the pleasant visuals, the quiet, darkness, and desolation of the film with nary a jump scare in sight build up an almost unbearable level of tension and dread. It’s the sort of horror where you’re almost always waiting for something to jump out at you, and it’s all the scarier that nothing does.
However, this quietness and minimalism is also one of the film’s greatest drawbacks. The movie is slow, and I mean incredibly slow. Hardly anything in the way of plot happens for the first half of the movie, and even through the incredible rising action of the second half, the finale proves rather anticlimactic. Furthermore, in its attempts to be artistic and beautiful and convey its pointed message, there are times when it comes across as rather pretentious and occasionally boring.
This, however, is more of a problem with the writing and direction than anything else. The acting, on the other hand, proves to be spot on. Eva Allan had her work cut out for her with Elena, a character who hardly gets any dialog whatsoever, but she conveys quite a lot about her character with a subtle, yet skillful performance. Michael Rogers, in his performance as Dr. Nyle, is similarly commendable; his character is chilling and detestable and just a little bit tragic, even as he never even considers redemption.
Overall, this movie is a mixed bag. While it’s aesthetically pleasing and well-executed in most regards, there are times when its constant building of sterile, cold dread can wear a bit thin. However, despite being a bit of a drag here and there, I must still ask myself “Am I glad that I watched this?” And I must concede that I am. It was worth watching at least once.
That’s why I rate Beyond the Black Rainbow 3/5 glowing crystal pyramids.
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