In Brendan Cleaves’ short, futuristic satire Crak Hack, Tony (Johnny Vivash) is a lonely guy barely holding on to a long-distance relationship in a near-future where VR intimacy is basically the norm. The film opens with Tony filling a kiddie pool while wearing VR goggles, letting the headset sell him the fantasy that he’s in a hot tub at a tropical resort.
His fiancée, Sally (Amanda Sara Kay), joins him for a moment, but she’s tied up with a barbecue and distracted by another man. VR’s artificial proximity isn’t the answer, and Tony retreats to his living room and listens to sad songs.
“He pitches a high-tech intimacy app called GrindSync3000”
Desperate to feel close to his partner again, an app salesman (Sanj Surati) appears who might be the answer. He pitches a high-tech intimacy app called GrindSync3000, promising it can bridge the distance and keep what’s left of the relationship alive. All Tony has to do is put on the VR goggles and strap vibrating accessories onto his nether regions. Too good to be true? It always is.
Since the pandemic, we’ve lost the ability to find human connection, let alone intimacy. Scratch that. We’ve found other ways to replicate connection and intimacy through our devices. Filmmaker Brendan Cleaves’ story is indicative of this, whether he meant to or not (and he probably did).
Crak Hack is simply a silly adventure about finding something real, and its moral lesson goes delightfully wacky. Johnny Vivash delivers an over-the-top, comedic, physical performance that’s a joy to watch. The story never overstays its welcome. Cheers.
"…Too good to be true? It always is."
