Illusions are fascinating mind experiments. Their usage varies from funhouses to artwork with moving eyes. They are the closest thing to experiencing our dreams and abstract thoughts tangibly. Artificial intelligence and deepfakes challenge our perception similarly to illusions. They also pose a new question: how does cinema dramatize such concepts? Well, writer-director John Babu’s science fiction detective fable, Optillus, takes the concept of illusions in a new direction.
Set in Toronto, we follow Ailia Perls (Brynna Weiss), a young woman capable of reading minds and who has a talent for creating optical illusions. Even though she has these extraordinary abilities, the lingering trauma of her parents’ death in a car crash haunts her. Ailia applies to the Toronto Police Force with her optical illusion cards, which reveal multiple images depending on the person’s thoughts. Luckily Sgt. James Manner (David Richard) sees the value in her talent and hires her.
With her new job, Ailia befriends Bob (Michael Lake), an optimistic rookie detective. Together, they take on multiple cases, including the murder of a three-year-old girl. Being on the police force gives Ailia an opportunity to resolve her issues and find new friends. Will this telepath learn to overcome her trauma with Bob as her partner on the force?
“Being on the police force gives Ailia an opportunity to resolve her issues and find new friends.”
Optillus is a distinct detective film devoid of cynicism and gritty realism. It evokes the lighter tone of the once-popular CW series The Flash. Babu’s film mainly works due to the streamlined focus on Ailia’s trauma. It is handled tastefully and avoids explicit, graphic detail. There are fun details incorporated, such as several scenes where the protagonist wears the viral blue/gold dress that caused an optical illusion phenomenon back in 2015. Incorporating this into the narrative adds a level of pop culture awareness. The dress is used to visualize the change in Ailia’s perception of the world, a clever and stylistic touch.
Weiss delivers an excellent performance and has natural charisma. If this becomes a film series, seeing her return as Ailia Perls would be great. Lake is fun as well, and the two share an easygoing chemistry. In potential future installments, seeing these two banter back and forth will be most gratifying.
This short film is the start of something original. It is the perfect alternative to depressing crime shows and bloated superhero films. Optillus blends science-fiction, superhero drama, and crime in a fun way.
"…the start of something original."
