There is no doubt that Amazon Prime Video has one of the most diverse catalogs of all current streaming platforms. Among the great original series it brings each year, the movies it collects from the biggest theater releases, and the formats it integrates, it is undoubtedly becoming one of the most attractive VOD services. And, among all its productions, some of the most striking belong to the trendy genre: science fiction.
Recently, all platforms have been challenging each other to have the largest catalog of science fiction movies and series. For now, it seems that Apple TV+ is taking the lead, but Netflix is closely following and Prime Video itself is also stepping up its game with all kinds of innovative proposals.
Now, among its catalog, it is highlighting a suffocating film that mixes science fiction, thriller, and horror in a way that only other films like Buried, Hush, or Nowhere have achieved before. The title of the film is Meander, it dates back to 2020 – a good year for suffocation, for sure – and its director is the French Mathieu Turi, who already has experience in the genre with films like The Depp Dark.
An overwhelming movie with a great final plot twist
The movie takes us into the life of Lisa, played by Gaia Weiss (The Gentlemen, Vikings), who presents herself as a woman devastated by the recent loss of her daughter. One night, after making an impulsive self-destructive decision, she accepts a ride from a stranger in a car. She soon realizes that the man has sinister intentions and, after an altercation, loses consciousness.
When she wakes up, Lisa finds herself in a strange environment: a narrow metal tube. She discovers that she is wearing a bracelet on her wrist that displays a countdown timer. She has no idea where she is or how she got there. Soon she realizes that she must navigate through the maze of tunnels to survive, as the place is filled with deadly traps and mechanisms that activate periodically.
As Lisa progresses, she faces numerous challenges that test her physical and mental endurance. She must overcome deadly traps such as incinerators, compressors, and chambers filled with toxic gas. Throughout her odyssey, she finds messages and clues that guide her and give her hope, but also confuse her about the true nature of her imprisonment.
The tube seems to react to her actions and thoughts, which leads her to question if she is in an advanced technological test, an alien experiment or something even more sinister. Throughout the movie, Lisa confronts her worst fears and painful memories, which seem to physically manifest in the labyrinth.
Although I’m not going to give any spoilers, the climax of the movie reveals that there is much more behind this apparent deadly trap. Undoubtedly, it is one of those twists that leave you with your mouth open, and that gives the movie a new unexpected meaning. Combined with the great performance of the lead actress, this is undoubtedly the most interesting aspect of Meander.
The film had its premiere at the Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival and Horror, and since then it has first been shown in theaters and later included in the catalog of Amazon Prime Video, where it has shone again. Although the reviews are quite mixed and not all genre fans seem to like it, it is a very entertaining film to watch on the platform, and undoubtedly a very daring bet in its direction.
