Starfish

The 2018 film Starfish, a singular and compelling fusion of science fiction, horror, and drama, deeply intertwines heartfelt psychological exploration with an apocalyptic narrative. The movie features an outstanding performance from Virginia Gardner, who you may know from the Marvel series, 'Runaways'; Christina Masterson of 'Power Rangers Megaforce'; and Eric Beecroft.

At the heart of Starfish's plot is Gardner’s character, Aubrey. The movie opens as she’s dealing with the loss of her best friend, Grace. Overwhelmed by grief and guilt, Aubrey breaks into the recently deceased friend's apartment seeking solace and connection. However, an unexpected occurrence leaves her isolated, trapped, and curiously, the Earth's last potential savior against impending doom.

In place of high-energy action and typical end-of-the-world catastrophe, Starfish presents a quiet yet deeply emotional exploration of grief and self-discovery, woven into the mystery of an unfolding apocalypse. Aubrey's adventure is disembodied from the rest of the world, utterly detached from time and space. As the impending apocalypse takes the form of monstrous creatures terrorizing her world, it doesn't merely offer a backdrop, instead serving as a metaphorical manifestation of the protagonist's internal battles.

The movie's approach to its apocalyptic narrative, which is generally inconceivable to the average person, is steeped in metaphysical and existential inquiries. This is translated visually through a blend of animation, transmissions, and deep-sea imagery punctuating footage of Gardner alone in the snow or trudging through abandoned buildings.

As Aubrey grapples with horrifying creatures and mysterious audio tapes possibly holding the key to salvation, the depiction of her loneliness and despair is disturbing yet poignant. Virginia Gardner handles this intense material with a stunningly immersive performance. The film gives an almost tangible experience of her character's psychic pain, often feelings that words fail to encapsulate, but are nonetheless profoundly communicated through Gardner's expressive portrayal.

Starfish also creatively uses music as a powerful narrative tool. Many important elements within the story are driven by cryptic mixtapes left by Aubrey's late friend, Grace. The director’s background as a music video director is evident, each song shaping the feelings of a scene and acting as a guide down the labyrinthine path of Aubrey's journey.

Yet, for all its post-apocalyptic imagery and themes, at its core, Starfish is about grieving and dealing with loss. It uses the backdrop of the end of the world not for its cataclysm, but as a metaphor for the world-shattering feeling of losing someone you love dearly.

Christina Masterson and Eric Beecroft make crucial appearances that provide an interesting tinge to the narrative fabric. Their performances beautifully contribute to creating the eerie and dream-like atmosphere sustained throughout the film.

The standout feature of Starfish is its unusual narrative style, engaging visuals, and atmospheric backdrop. It's an introspective journey that does not follow the conventional motions of either horror or science fiction genres. Instead, it offers something profoundly meditative – a quiet, beautiful exploration of the human psyche against a backdrop of cosmic horror and ethereal beauty.

Starfish is directed by A.T. White, who has made his mark with this unique debut narrative feature, having previously been recognized for his work in music videos. His artistic touch is apparent in this film's aesthetics and pacing, which make for a mesmerizing albeit melancholic viewing experience.

In conclusion, Starfish is a film for viewers who appreciate an introspective narrative steeped in metaphor and symbolism, superb performances, and sumptuous visual appeal. It breaks away from the norms of conventional genres, delivering a profound exploration of personal grief and redemption set against the mystifying vastness of the cosmos and the enigma of the apocalypse.