Life Changer (2018)

Directed by: Justin McConnell | 84 minutes | horror, thriller | Actors: Lora Burke, Jack Foley, Elitsa Bako, Sam White, Rachel VanDuzer, Steve Kasan, Mark Rainmaker, Adam Buller, Peter Higginson, Daniel Faraldo, Brian Quintero, Ry Barrett, Kim Morgan, Michelle D’Alessandro Hatt, Carina Battrick, Willem Halfyard, Uche Ama

A lot has already been done in the horror genre and coming up with something new is not easy. Director Justin McConnell makes an attempt with his ‘Lifechanger’. This film uses a rather special narrative perspective. A so-called shape-shifter – or body snatcher – explains what’s going on in his head. The villain is therefore the protagonist of this story. A surprising approach.

This movie revolves around Drew. This entity can take possession of a human body and wear it, as it were, like a coat. At a certain point such a body is ‘used’ and it starts to decompose. Then Drew has to look for a new host or hostess. When our anti-hero meets Julia, something changes. The shape-shifter falls in love with her and continuously seeks her closeness. But how can you build a relationship if you constantly have to change your body and therefore have a different shape every time?

If you’re expecting a nice, gruesome horror movie, you’ve come to the wrong place with ‘Lifechanger’. Although there are a few nice dirty scenes in it, this is not a film that you should instigate for brute force. McConnell has made a somewhat philosophical film. What makes us human and how do you build a relationship? The idea is great, but the execution falls short. There is clearly no generous budget available and that is clearly noticeable. The cast is not very experienced, the camera work looks amateurish and the special effects look rather cheap.

Still, this film is worth watching once. The idea is very interesting and the film has some nice scenes that are well acted. The use of practical special effects is also to be commended. Rubber prostheses are used instead of CGI. Just like in the eighties. At times ‘Lifechanger’ is reminiscent of the (body) horror of David Cronenberg and John Carpenter. It never gets as brilliant – or gross – as ‘The Fly’ or ‘The Thing’.