Why does it have to take 47 films? The MCU is building out its multiverse lore over 15+ movies at this point, and isn’t going to be stopping at least until Doomsday. Unfortunately for them, what has taken years of movie time Everything Everywhere All At Once did in 2.5 hours. And here comes Redux Redux, decreasing that time commitment below 2 hours for a multiverse movie. Money can buy lots of things, but it can’t buy a good idea easily, sorry Marvel.
This GOOD multiverse movie is about poor Irene Kelly (Michaela McManus). Her daughter Anna was murdered by a serial killer named Neville (Jeremy Holm). Miraculously she lands a time machine, which transports her to other universes like her own, hoping to find Anna alive in just one of them. But the more she traverses, the angrier she gets, letting out that rage on Anna’s murderer, over…and over…again.
This time, its very personal. I’m talking about Michaela McManus, and Matthew and Kevin, her brothers, and also, the writer/directors of this film. Turns out these are great brothers, who know how to make their sister a movie star. The first half hour of Redux Redux is mostly Michaela going through this lonely life she’s chosen for herself, giving us little tidbits with the few interactions she has. Each little monologue reveals a character deeper than appears to be on the surface, as Irene senses that her old self is forever gone, replaced by a shell of a person with one sole purpose: eternal revenge. She’s broken, despondent, and completely captivating to watch in every multiverse she spots Neville. That opening 30 would have made a great short film in its own right, called Our Sister.
Thankfully the brothers make her sister even more interesting when Irene finds Mia (Stella Marcus), Neville’s next victim, alive in his house. Irene saves the teen, and the McManus brothers start playing with their story a little more. Most time travel/multiverse stuff is worried about paradoxes and seeing yourself. Redux Redux doesn’t need any of that: instead it’s story is built on character. Perspective starts shifting a little, as we catch up with Mia and her life, before pairing the women together again as Mia slowly realizes perhaps a real chance at a better, revenge filled life might be in her future thanks to this weirdo Irene lady. These two ladies, Irene and Mia, on opposite ends of the revenge spectrum, finding feelings the other hasn’t felt in a long time, scared to open up but equally scared not to, to go back to their little emotional prisons. Props to Michaela and Stella Marcus, who really make their interactions much deeper and emotional than you’re expecting, especially Michaela, who really makes you feel like Irene found something she’s forgotten she’s capable of.
Redux Redux is less an MCU multiverse movie and more like Shane Carruth’s Primer from a few decades ago. The small budget gives laser focus to the story, helping the audience lock in and still feel like they’re watching something bigger than it really is. Big thanks to Penske, who got maybe the best product placement in history here, and should work on a branding op: “Penske, here for you any place…any time.”