The pandemic-themed horror movie “Coma” by director Bertrand Bonello is taking audiences on a thrilling and chaotic ride through the lockdown experience. The film follows two cloistered characters in France during the coronavirus lockdown, with one of them being a social media influencer named Patricia Coma, played by Julia Faure.
Patricia’s channel is filled with surreal how-to videos, philosophical monologues, and weather reports, reflecting the strange and isolated world she inhabits. The other character, an unnamed teenage girl played by Louise Labèque, is moody and introspective as she spends her days glued to the screen, watching Patricia’s every move.
But “Coma” is not your typical lockdown movie. Director Bonello pushes the boundaries with his experimental approach, blending reality with fantasy in a way that flattens time and creates a sense of desperation. The film features uncanny missives from Patricia, a smutty sitcom played out by stop-motion dolls, and a recurring nightmare of being trapped in a purgatorial forest.
As the film unfolds, it becomes clear that “Coma” is more than just a reflection of the pandemic period. It delves into existential crises that define many people today, particularly the younger generation who have grown up in a world marked by climate change, school shootings, and now a global pandemic.
With a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes, “Coma” serves as an amuse-bouche to Bonello’s larger body of work, offering a glimpse into the tragedy of characters who lack free will. The film begins and ends with a message from Bonello to his daughter, acknowledging the unique despair of her generation and the challenges they face.
“Coma” may be anchored in the lockdown experience, but its themes resonate far beyond that, speaking to the universal struggles of our time. Catch this thought-provoking and unsettling film in theaters now.
