You need a certain amount of creativity, delusion, and luck to be a writer. Having the ideas and talent isn’t nearly enough if you don’t believe in yourself. However, you also have to cling to the dream that your stuff will find the right people who will help you get it seen or read. Writing is full-time work, in addition to all of the jobs and commitments you accumulate as you get older. As the years go by, you begin to wonder if/when this dream is going to happen. That worry, as time passes by, is enough to drive some people to do some pretty extreme things. Terrestrial surprisingly captures all of those anxieties and blends them into a cocktail with a few of our favorite genres.
Terrestrial follows Allen (Jermaine Fowler). A nice enough guy who was a struggling sci-fi writer that stayed committed to his craft but could never catch a break. However, things seemingly changed overnight as he is now hosting college friends in his new mansion for the weekend. His friends, who are doing a sneaky wellness check, are surprised by this sudden windfall. While they ask questions and notice Allen is not acting like himself, they have no way of knowing just how wild this weekend will get.
That’s What Friends Are For
Terrestrial plays with genres and subverts audience expectations at will. This sci-fi thriller has levels and layers that lead to a very chaotic ending with a surprisingly high body count. The film is anchored by Fowler’s performance as the relatable writer who is in over his head. Allen is practically a pressure cooker as he attempts to keep all of these plates spinning. So, Maddie (Pauline Chalamet), Ryan (James Morosini), and Vic (Edy Modica) showing up to celebrate his book and movie deal does not help. Especially as they bring their own baggage that further complicates things.
This situation lends itself to quite a bit of comedy as the mystery unfolds and we learn more about the group dynamics. Fowler’s fans who have been foaming at the mouth to see him in a leading role will not be disappointed. The script allows him to showcase his range as he adds depth to a character that could have easily been one-note with a less skilled actor.
You Shouldn’t Meet Your Heroes
Another thing troubling Allen is that he recently met his hero, S.J. Purcell (Brendan Hunt), and it did not go well by any stretch of the imagination. We get bits and parts of how bad it went and how that led Allen to make some of the choices he recently made. Hunt gives a performance that is also worth noting in this film, but it is hard to get into it without spoilers. However, of all the supporting characters in the Terrestrial, he stands out the most.
This movie is fun, quirky, sad, and at times whimsical. Terrestrial is a pleasant surprise. Most people remember the director, Steve Pink, for Hot Tub Time Machine. However, this film feels closer to movies he co-wrote, Grosse Pointe Blank and High Fidelity, than anything else. This is partly because screenwriters Connor Diedrich and Samuel Johnson keep this genre-bending tale grounded and relatable. Even when it takes a huge swing, it feels intimate. The wildest scenes still hold consequences and carry weight. This adds layers to watching Allen battle the anxieties of failing the younger version of himself, as old friends inadvertently remind him of who he thought he would be by now.
Terrestrial is a ton of chaotic fun, even if it will probably send creatives into the sad place. It is a solid movie with a stellar performance from Fowler. There are also some very surprising turns, which also make it worth your time. It’s a unique ride that quickly sets itself apart from other movies we’ve seen this summer. It’s also just a pure delight watching it peel back each layer as it gets to all of its harsh truths.
