Filmmaking duo and twin brothers, Kevin and Matthew McManus (The Block Island Sound, Cobra Kai), brought the world premiere of their latest film to SXSW. Redux Redux tells the story of Irene, a mother who travels to parallel universes to kill every version of the man who murdered her daughter. After traveling to countless universes, a chance encounter forces Irene to decide whether her quest for vengeance is worth losing her humanity.

With The Block Island Sound, the McManus brothers showed how they excel at using subtle, nuanced sci-fi themes to tell very grounded stories of human emotion. Redux Redux is no different. At its core, this film is about a mother struggling to deal with the tragic loss of her daughter. Her way of coping is to travel from universe to universe, finding the murderer each time and ending his life. This routine she’s gotten into is turned upside down when she meets a teenage runaway. It forces Irene to examine the way she lives her life. Is she killing this man to make the world better and to prevent him from hurting other girls? Or is it purely out of revenge?

When it comes to the sci-fi aspect of Redux Redux, the McManus brothers took a familiar concept and gave it a more authentic spin. With the popularity of Marvel, most people are aware of the idea of the multiverse. Irene has the ability to travel between these alternate worlds, with the help of a strange machine. There are subtle differences between each universe, but for the most part things are the same, making it easy for her to track down her target. The many universes Irene travels to only further compound her grief, as she knows the differences between each world are minor, and her daughter is already gone in every one of them. While the technology might not be fully explained, only hinted at, there is enough for the audience to understand what they see on screen. All elements of the film combine to tell a story that is heartbreaking, thrilling, and thought-provoking.

With a plot that is so rooted in human emotion, casting is pivotal to the film’s success. Redux Redux has a fantastic cast, with three standouts sure to blow audiences away. Michaela McManus (The Block Island Sound, Law & Order: SVU) stars as Irene. McManus is truly phenomenal in this role. She conveys an unwavering strength and determination for revenge, yet her maternal instincts allow her to keep a tentative hold on what’s left of her humanity. It’s a performance that cuts deep and leaves a lasting impact. Stella Marcus makes her feature-film debut as teenage runaway Mia. Marcus gives a fantastic performance, presenting a tough persona that eventually betrays the scared kid on the inside. These two strong performances are only made stronger by the chemistry between McManus and Marcus, oscillating between contemptuousness and caring. Finally, we have Jeremy Holm (Brooklyn 45, The Ranger) as the deranged murderer. Holm is an imposing figure, and he gives a menacing performance that will make your skin crawl.

Creating a grounded sci-fi thriller is a delicate balance. The McManus brothers kept most of the visuals in Redux Redux simplistic. The production design is great at keeping each parallel universe mostly the same, just with subtle differences (such as a diner coffee mug being a different color from universe to universe). This allows a sense of realism to the film, despite Irene traveling from universe to universe in a coffin-sized metal machine. The design of the machine itself is also great and appears reminiscent of the type of technology seen in other sci-fi greats like Alien. Bringing all these sights to the screen is striking cinematography, giving a gritty edge to this compelling tale. If the visuals weren’t enough to catch audience attention, the music by Paul Koch (The Block Island Sound) will, creating the perfect blend of suspense, drama, and sci-fi.

Redux Redux is a harrowing, emotionally charged story of loss and revenge with stunning performances and a subtle, futuristic edge. The McManus brothers prove once again they are masters of their craft. They keep their films grounded in the emotions of their characters while using nuanced sci-fi themes to add to the drama and suspense. Michaela McManus gives an all-time performance, and newcomer Marcus manages to hold her own, creating a compelling dynamic between these two women that electrifies the screen. All the pieces come together to make Redux Redux an enthralling film, forcing audiences to confront their own humanity along the way.

OVERALL RATING: 8.5/10