Replica (2018)

Directed by: Jeffrey Nachmanoff | 103 minutes | drama, science fiction | Actors: Keanu Reeves, Alice Eve, Thomas Middleditch, John Ortiz, Emjay Anthony, Emily Alyn Lind, Aria Lyric Leabu, Nyasha Hatendi, Amber Rivera

Keanu Reeves must be a very nice guy. A guy you like to be around. That may be the only conclusion after seeing ‘Replicas’. Reeves proves once again that he is not a skilled actor. Unfortunately, this time he has little physical distraction to disguise his lack of stage talent. ‘Replicas’ is a boring sci-fi thriller with a weak protagonist. Quite a deadly statement.

Synthetic biologist Will Foster (Reeves) loses his family in a car accident. Broken by grief, the scientist wants to try to bring them back to life. To make this ‘dream’ come true, Foster goes to great lengths. Even if it means putting a government-controlled lab, as well as the police and physical laws against him.

The casting is the biggest problem with this movie. Reeves is not good at conveying raw emotions like pain and sadness. The Canadian is particularly thriving in physical roles like the ones he played in ‘The Matrix’ and ‘John Wick’. Martial arts is Reeves’ thing and not the better acting. Why Hollywood decides to cast this actor in roles in which deep souls must take center stage, remains a mystery. ‘Replicas’ is yet another proof of Reeves’ limitations as an actor and that is a shame. With a better actor, this movie could have been quite entertaining. But probably no dog would have come, because in that case there was no Hollywood icon on the cover of the movie poster.

Who is this movie really suitable for? For fans of Reeves and those who don’t feel like complicated thrillers with a story. ‘Replicas’ is cinematic wallpaper. Unlike wallpaper, it doesn’t stick, but it never really irritates either. It’s an anonymous and loveless job creation project that involved a lot of people. The local catering service and cameramen have been able to earn their living with it. Reeves was also able to pay the rent again for a while. Nice for them. Fans of cinema with substance, impressive stunts, an original story or good acting should skip this production.