Nothing is everything when that's all you've got.
2025-09-16
N/A
114 min
A British ornithologist seeks answers to a lost civilization while on assignment in Berlin, as an unorthodox band of misfits longing for the next stage of human evolution stand in his way. While humanity's relationship with the environment is tested, a fearless group of Eco-warriors plot the downfall of pseudo-scientists and attempt to stop their illicit wildlife trafficking.
This felt like stepping into someone else’s dream. It’s not a typical thriller — more slow and mysterious, with a lot of atmosphere. The eco stuff and the idea of a lost civilization in Easter Island gave it a cool twist, and I liked how it made me think about the environment without being preachy. Definitely not for people who want fast action, rather for those who like artsy indie films with a surreal feel.
Flights of Reverie begins with a montage of images that evoked the French New Wave of Cinema, and that alone grabbed my attention from jump. This is a tale that takes its time to inform the viewer, unwrapping many layers before its narrative becomes apparent. There are some deeper philosophies being explored here, with three distinct character groups each trying to affect their perspectives on the world. Ecological intelligentsia, EcoWarriors, and a secret business organization are at odds throughout the film, and through a series of “tell me” scenes, “Flights of “Reverie” leads to a conclusion that is both surprising, yet inevitable. This film has some big ideas that it does its best to convey, yet as a viewer, I wished it had a little more “show me” instead of its more theatrical “tell me” approach. There are times where the script would have been better served with punchy visuals and choreographed passages. One thing that I found truly interesting was a chase scene, not in cars or on motorcycles, but on battery-powered blades. That was definitely a new approach, and isn’t anything I’ve ever seen before in a movie. All that said, the script is literate, the acting is better than most indie films, and is shot very well. If you like movies that are much more cerebral than what is typically released these days, this is the film for you.
Honestly I thought it was too artsy at the beginning, but I kept watching and it started to feel special. The shots of Berlin look so amazing. I liked that the characters come from different places, like outsiders in a foreign city. I can relate to that here in London. The eco-warrior parts gave it meaning too, without being preachy.
