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On a surface level, “The Shift” is a sci-fi movie about parallel universes where there are many versions of you, each living a different life. Below the surface, there is no way around saying that it's heavy-handed on the religious message. It's one of those films that would divide audience into polarized camps.
The day Kevin (Kristoffer Polaha) met Molly (Elizabeth Tabish) at the bar was one of the worst day of his career life. Molly won him over quickly. Their interactions were charming and they hit it off instantly, flashing forward to images of their future. Kevin and Molly got married and had a son. A family tragedy occurred and their marriage was on the rocks. One day, after an argument, Kevin got into a car wreck. When he came to, he was met by a man with otherworldy powers. The man called himself the Benefactor (Neal McDonough).
Kevin is in total disbelief, finding out that he's been shifted or transported into another world, a dystopian one where despair and misery reign. The Benefactor gives Kevin an option that's hard to refuse. Work for him as one of his shifters, and in turn, he will have the perfect version of everything and everyone in his life. In other words, his life would be perfect. In his disbelief, Kevin challenges the Benefactor to prove himself and unknowingly causes great sufferings to others. And his decision also keeps him stuck in this universe for years. During this time, he's never stopped finding ways to get back to his beloved wife.
The middle of the movie is muddled and the parallel world is never fully realized, but the acting is strong and moving with tense moments. A twist finally moves the story along.
Fear of the unknown. Not knowing what will happen is perhaps one of the scariest human experiences. What if you were given definite options to choose from where you know where everything would be exactly what you want? Would you make the choice? What would you sacrifice to get it? And at what cost?
The main character represents a flawed human tested with temptations by the devil, but in the end, he stays true to his character and relies on his faith in God. He chooses the path of redemption.
“The Shift” is a faith-based story about about choices and sacrifices, believing in oneself to do the right thing, seeing the good in humanity even during the worst times, trusting the higher power, letting go one's own desires in order to right wrongs while not knowing what the future would hold, and allowing people to live on their own free will. The ending comes full circle, yet in unexpected ways.
For a FREE ticket to see the film at the theaters, visit the Angel Studios website here.
