Spoilers will do it but they won’t like it.
One thing that you will learn from my writing, unless you’re a returning reader, is that I can’t hide my biases. A movie doesn’t have to do everything right. It can have some astounding views, great camera work, memorable performances, engaging character development, etc. Perhaps it can only muster one of those things right and sort of flakes at everything else. That being said, once in a while one comes along that achieves the almost impossible feat of avoiding to hit the mark in almost every category. Take a wild guess where I’m going with this rant. Scalpel, please.
Hot Spot (2026) was directed by Agnieska Smoczynska and written by Robert Bolesto. Ahem. In a future not very far from now, society is ruled by an omniscient AI called The Head. After a refugee is murdered at an immigration camp, Detective Jan 623 (Andrzej Konopka) is assigned to the case along with his partner Maria (Filippa Kaye). Jan is married to Ayka (Reika Kirishima). They have a son named Zen (George Aurimas). In the process of investigating the murder, Jan will uncover a rebel group trying to bring down The Head and restore freedom to the galax- sorry, to humanity.
If you didn’t catch all that, don’t worry. It’s dull. It’s a very, very dull film. Perhaps in the right state of mind you might find something of substance, but I couldn’t quite stomach the plot, the narrative, the pacing or the bland performances of most of the cast. Yes, I understand it is portraying a bleak future, but does it have to do it with such poor enthusiasm? It’s a very tedious film without even half-decent dialog to follow. Unfortunately this doesn’t work.
Not recommended. I can’t think of someone that will enjoy this film and the premise did show promise, but there’s very left in the execution that could be salvaged into a watchable film. Not worth a watch.
That will do for now.
