Ensouled: A Riveting Sci-Fi That Sparks Poignant Conversations On The Emerging Technology

At 14:42-minutes, director Moe Najati’s Ensouled is a tightly-wound, deeply unsettling short that explores the themes of metaphysics, AI and humanity. In the numerous sci-fi films out there, what sets Ensouled apart is its ability to remain ambiguous and yet sharp enough to elicit questions amongst its viewers. What defines a human life? Can AI offer better solutions to mankind’s eternal problems? At what point will it become necessary to draw the line between desire and augmented reality?

Written by Moe Najati and Fabrizio Faillace, the film follows Clara (Joanna Saul) who turns to Eternia, a facility that promises afterlife. Wishful thinking and the burden of carrying grief makes Clara into taking decisions that don’t come from a rational headspace. But, that’s the beauty of Ensouled. It’s universal in its overarching theme, making it relatable for most. For, grief like all other emotions are burdensome, all consuming and inescapable.

The first really unsettling moment occurs about halfway into the film as Clara is following her escort into an austere room. For just a brief moment, the two spaces—the room and the passage leading up to it—seem to float and jostle like one train compartment seen from the edge of another. But, it’s noticeable right from the start, even if not that pronounced. As Clara navigates through the labyrinthine alleys of the facility, Joey Beelich’s production design begins to consume the viewer. There’s a deathlike staleness that is palpable in Eternia and the colour palette simply accentuates it, as does the sound design. There’s the coldness of a robotic reception that is felt from the get go and Saul embodies the grief stricken Clara with her restrained performance. You empathise with her almost instantly, despite not knowing the context of her sorrow. Enter Vince (Christian K. Miller) with whom begins the first pivotal change in the telling of the narrative. The free flowing conversation between the two is peppered uncomfortably with the Receptionist (Linda Mclachlan)’s standard procedural questionnaire. 

If there’s any doubt to the nature of the facility or to its services, we have Millie (Rachelle Lauzon) who plays Eternia’s staff entrusted with facilitating the client’s request. Cinematographer Asif Limbada plays with the space and light making Eternia claustrophobic. Take note of the camera work when Clara lays down for the procedure to commence.  And, since it’s edited by Moe Najati, his influence is evident in every frame and dialogue delivered. The characters are both determined and vague, lost in the magnitude of their loss and the uncertainty of what the future entails–much like any grieving individual. 

Evan Hodges’s music accompanies every scene like an invisible character. Where the doom can’t be felt, it’s heard, where it isn’t heard, it’s shown. In short, Najati is astute enough to not spoonfeed his audience. There’s ample room for questions, doubts and philosophising–and that’s what makes Ensouled unique. In its freedom to interpret the story the way one chooses to, hopes to, desires to. For like mentioned earlier, grief is a universal emotion and the emerging technological tools are only meant to aid one in the endeavour to lead a wholesome life.

When Clara’s life-defining decision sets course to an uncharted territory, we are terrified for her–and that’s because of the convincing performances rendered by the cast. Ensouled is for sci-fi aficionados, but also for those interested in delving deeper into the psychological manoeuvring of a heartbroken individual. At its heart, it’s a simple story of grief, loss and healing, delivered with a fitting twist that speaks volumes of Najati’s storytelling skills.

Watch Ensouled Short Film Trailer