Aviv Rubinstien’s LIZZIE LAZARUS (which played at Popcorn Frights) offers a unique twist on the classic destination movie trope. The premise of a destination movie is the characters set out to reach a certain location and the hope of arrival is what drives the story forward. The final destination could be as grand as Mordor or as benign as White Castle and cover really anything else in between. The only thing that matters is the characters’ goal to get to a certain place. Usually, there is a set time frame in which they must complete their journey. LIZZIE LAZARUS is definitely a destination movie, but the destination and the journey differ from any movie you have seen before. Lizzie (Megan Oesterreich) passed away unexpectedly and now her sister and boyfriend are determined to bring Lizzie back. So, our journey involves a nine mile walk to a mystical burial ground that supposedly holds the power of resurrection.
“The people in Hell stare, while the people in Heaven feast.”
The Body
The film begins with what appears to be a blue-tinted corpse washed upon the rocks of a swiftly flowing river. However, the corpse begins to sing about what makes life worth living. As the dead body continues its number, the camera provides extreme close-ups of her battered and bruised flesh. We can assume the injuries came from bashing up against the rocks. Everything about this cold-opening screams sadness and despair, which properly sets up the audience for the underlying tone of the film.
The scene then cuts to Summer of 1990 where we see Eli (Omar Maskati) and Bethany (Lianne O’Shea) walking through the woods. The night and the deeply forested area allow us to only see their flashlight beams. We hear them exchanging information and opinions about aliens, cover-ups, and the Carter administration. As the conversation gets deeper into conspiracy theories and the camera cuts to closer shots, we see the pair in more light. Now we realize they are carrying a body.
The Zone
They keep referring to the body with feminine pronouns and even briefly speculate on what the deceased woman might be experiencing at this moment. But with a lack of any real details, this curious scene begins the film’s 90-minute run of mystery. The reason for this late-night hike with a body is because the pair believes if they bury poor dead Lizzie in a place known as The Zone at just the right moment, then the body will become resurrected. The legends of this place stem (of course) from the local Native Americans (think Pet Sematary). Moreover, the credibility of the place’s power has also been verified by groups of colonizing white people who took over the land.
Now, Bethany loves a good conspiracy theory and whole-heartedly believes The Zone will bring Lizzie back. Eli is more skeptical but misses his girlfriend so much, he will do anything to bring back his lost love. If the mystery of The Zone wasn’t enough, the mystery of Lizzie’s death also gives the audience a lot to ponder. What happened the night she died? Where was she going? What was her state of mind? Eli and Bethany each have some part of this puzzle, but only Lizzie really knows all the details. And currently, she’s in a body bag, with the pair dragging her across the forest floor.
Destination: Resurrection
The anticipation of the destination keeps the tension up, but the journey proves just as interesting. The two living characters share stories, laughs, and pain involving the dear-departed Lizzie. These two did not have a close relationship before, but now they find they can bond over what it was like to love someone with an early expiration date. Although she died unexpectedly, it was not a complete surprise. As those close to Lizzie, knew death was never far from her. Loving someone always so close to death causes a constant pain, while some may feel relief once death finally comes. Eli and Bethany prove they would rather live with the constant presence of death than not have their loved one.
LIZZIE LAZARUS is a captivating film that blends an intriguing story with a well-written script and relatable characters. The movie delves deep into the trauma inflicted on the families of depressed or suicidal individuals and explores grief, guilt, and unresolved emotions with nuance. The dynamic between Bethany and Eli keeps the narrative engaging as their layered conversations and displays of emotions help elevate the tension. And Megan Oesterreich excels as Lizzie (even in her silent role as a corpse), which adds an eerie presence that lingers throughout.
