Loophole presents a conundrum that crosses the streams between spiritualism and science: what if evil could be passed on genetically? If so, would it be moral to isolate those predisposed to violence and chaos, thus ensuring peace on Earth? What would the long-term effects be? In this apocalyptic tale, scientists claim to have identified the gene for violence and are forcing citizens to be tested, marked as safe and released if they are free of the DNA stain of evil.
Buried in this culture-shifting technology, and unbeknownst to all but a few, the dominance of the Earth is at stake as forces angelic and demonic race against time to find the bloodline of Judas Iscariot. There’s a critical exception to the genetic scarlet letter, carried by a scion of the line of Iscariot. The priceless genetic code is carried by unsuspecting college student Lexi Smith (Chloe Lukasiak).
Lexi finds herself center-stage in a global multi-dimensional spiritual battle. She is befriended by Riley (Deven Bromme), who claims to be an angel and stays with her as the forces of evil hunt her down in order to take back Earth for themselves.
“…the betrayal of Judas is a deeply ingrained cultural metaphor…“
Director Jenni Ivers has made a watchable and relatable film using low-tech CGI for special effects and a gripping script. By leveraging large chunks of lore from Judeo-Christian culture she’s avoided wasting time on world-building exposition. Biblical devils and angels are familiar. The betrayal of Judas is a deeply ingrained cultural metaphor. This could all have gone so wrong by taking itself too seriously, but Ivers walks that line with confidence and never loses the balance. Whether she means to present a pro-Christian message from the Biblical themes referenced is not clear, which is all for the best. I do not like my sci-fi preaching at me.
Toss in some Mad Max leather apocalypse warriors to the mix and the viewer doesn’t have do any heavy lifting, just enjoy the movie. It’s light adventure cinema, done right for the budget. Loophole lands somewhere between Minority Report, The DaVinci Code and Buckaroo Banzai, managing to be fun without drifting into too much goofiness.
Loophole (2018) Written and directed by Jenni Ivers. Starring Chloe Lukasiak, Timothy E. Goodwin, Deven Bromme, Will Steckman.
7 out of 10
Good story almost ruined by school drama class acting. Almost switched off on the early lecture theatre seen with the Indian professor and the very stilted “I’ve read my line, phew thank God that’s over” by all involved in that scene (and many later).