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6

quincytheodoreMay 11, 2015

Olivia Wilde breathes life to a predictable premise. With a title like The Lazarus Effect, audience would know what to expect and the movie doesn't disappoint in this regard. It dabbles in resurrection theme, moral ambiguity and the usualOlivia Wilde breathes life to a predictable premise. With a title like The Lazarus Effect, audience would know what to expect and the movie doesn't disappoint in this regard. It dabbles in resurrection theme, moral ambiguity and the usual possession angle. It's not even presented in large scale or big budget, but what separates the movie with the rest are the performance of the actors, especially Olivia Wilde, and its modest yet effective presentation.

A group of scientists stumble upon the serum which can prolong life. However, the result is not exactly what they expect and to make matter worse the university plucks their funding after some moral issue. Desperate to reclaim their experiment, they try to salvage it only to end up in much sinister situation. Fans of the genre might recognize the typical plot point here. The movie happens almost exclusively in the small confine of the laboratory and it makes the best of it.

Mark Duplass as Frank is the lead male, he's pretty invested in this endeavor even to the point of illegality. Duplass gives convincing portrayal of ambitious doctor while also delivers a few intrusive perverse thoughts. The cast is relatively small and they perform capably. The supporting characters offer consistent personalities, but the material could've explored them more.

Olivia Wilde carries the movie beyond what expected from it, simply by giving wide range of emotions to the character. She begins as a stressed doctor and wife, then delves further into deep-rooted negativity. At one point she looks like a frightened victim and the next she turns remorselessly savage with a hint of seductive glare. This constant change could implore sympathy yet also eerily creepy.

The scares are mostly all right, though some predictable jump scares are still shoehorned in. Cinematography keeps a steady contrast between light and dark, occasionally painting the scenes with vivid color for more psychological trip. Some of the horror is on point, but few admittedly miss the suspense it has already set with pedestrian gore.

While The Lazarus Effect doesn't create novel view, Wilde's capable lead ushers it into the realm of above average horror.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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6

horcrux2007Feb 28, 2015

This movie promises the audience very little, and it delivers the good mildly well. What drew me to this film was the very limited scope (the whole plot takes place in one laboratory) and the interesting cast. Olivia Wilde was definitely theThis movie promises the audience very little, and it delivers the good mildly well. What drew me to this film was the very limited scope (the whole plot takes place in one laboratory) and the interesting cast. Olivia Wilde was definitely the strongest aspect of the movie, and she made this so much better than it could have been. Wilde gave a subtle and very unsettling performance to make her character very memorable. Sarah Bolger was another strong part of the cast, and she gave it her all when her character is being stalked by a demonic Olivia Wilde. The rest of the actors were decent yet forgettable. This movie has a lot of great ideas, but there wasn't any room for any of those ideas to fully develop themselves due to the criminally short 83 minute running time. Had the movie been about 15 minutes longer, those themes could have been developed better. There is a twist at the end of the movie that does explain a few of the more questionable plot points. I jumped a few times, I cringed a few times, and I rolled my eyes a few times, but the Lazarus Effect does its job in a decently creepy yet forgettable fashion.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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0

Le__XenomorphFeb 27, 2015

absolutely terrible, derivative, and non-scary. The Lazarus Effect is a mess and does not hold up with the classic horror films like the Exorcist. 0/10 (Atrocity)

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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10

luckymisclicksMar 10, 2015

Acting was really good. Scares were really scary. The idea was great. Just an all around good time at the movies. I love Olivia Wilde and Mark Duplass was very good too.

2 of 8 users found this helpful26

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5

TheQuietGamerOct 23, 2015

Some good ideas are present, but it never capitalizes on them. It touches on elements of religion vs. science and what exactly qualifies as "crossing the line." These elements are unfortunately ditched in favor of generic horror that reallySome good ideas are present, but it never capitalizes on them. It touches on elements of religion vs. science and what exactly qualifies as "crossing the line." These elements are unfortunately ditched in favor of generic horror that really isn't scary. The typical attempts at fear are here, but it's really just a boring film.

The one strength the film keeps throughout is it's great cast. The performances are fantastic and they feel like believable characters. Their interactions are really incredible, and the moments of humor between them (that obviously take place before it tries to get scary) feel genuine. I mean, don't get me wrong I still really didn't give a crap about them. The characters aren't fleshed out and are therefore nothing more than just bodies to add to the pile. Even with that though, it's a joy to watch the actors do so well. They elevate the movie into something watchable as opposed to the straight up awfulness it would have been without them.

Still, even with the fantastic performances it doesn't change the fact that this is a boring and completely non-scary horror movie. I appreciate that the movie didn't go full possession flick like it could have. They make it very clear that it is the character returning, only this time changed due to resurrection. It doesn't really help the movie at all in the scare department, but it makes elements of the plot a little more interesting.

To be honest the story is pretty cool. Yeah, it ditches the philosophical questions early on in favor of poor attempts at scaring you, but I was interested in what was happening at the time. Even if it was boring as crap thanks to a lack of tension or a creepy atmosphere. Turns out simply giving Olivia Wilde completely black eyes while having her stand in the dark and occasionally pop out at us isn't scary. Who would've thought.

Simply put, "The Lazarus Effect" has some interesting stuff going that is brought down by some really boring horror. It could have been something smart and interesting, but instead went with trying to be scary and failed miserably at it. The deeper elements are present and can be seen for the briefest amounts of time. It's just a shame the overall movie didn't use them more. What we have here is a boring horror flick without anything scary going on. That makes it a mediocre film perfectly worth skipping.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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3

Eon2323Feb 28, 2015

Such a likable cast but such a derivative, uninspired story. It had the potential to go somewhere with its idea, but it falls flat because of the plot points and cheap scare ploys. Still a huge fan of Donald Glover and Mark Duplass though.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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0

ThegodfathersonFeb 28, 2015

The Lazarus Effect feels like a movie that was ripped straight off of a pastor's VCR. And while it delivers laughable acting and bad scares, the religon that is injected into this movie is depressing. This is if The Last Exorcism met Spit OnThe Lazarus Effect feels like a movie that was ripped straight off of a pastor's VCR. And while it delivers laughable acting and bad scares, the religon that is injected into this movie is depressing. This is if The Last Exorcism met Spit On Your Grave, both terrible movies. Olivia Wilde was dragged into this mess, she is a good actress, but TLE proves even her wrong. This movie is not scary, there are a few jumpscares and exorcism stuff, but all are used at the WRONG time. Its like Paranormal Activity 4, where even the boyfriend gives her girlfriend an unexpected jumpscare that detracts from the movie itself. Horrible and unambitious, The Lazarus Effect is another royal turd of 2015. Bravo.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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3

ChowdaAug 7, 2015

I don't understand. When people write scripts and then start directing......Do they not have a guy that says "Uh....well that doesn't make any sense." This movie seems like it was based on a pretty good idea but the execution and writing wereI don't understand. When people write scripts and then start directing......Do they not have a guy that says "Uh....well that doesn't make any sense." This movie seems like it was based on a pretty good idea but the execution and writing were horrible.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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8

Meth-dudeSep 26, 2016

The acting was good, the premise was interesting and the movie was entertaining. Even if the CGI effects were not very good, the movie was predictable at times and the ending was silly, it was still a good, entertaining horror flick.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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2

Costs1129Jun 17, 2015

Meh. Cliche after cliche. Also, never really understood the motivation of the possession or what the cause. The entire movie was slow to progress. Once the action began it made no sense. Why an omnipotent being was toying with her prey isMeh. Cliche after cliche. Also, never really understood the motivation of the possession or what the cause. The entire movie was slow to progress. Once the action began it made no sense. Why an omnipotent being was toying with her prey is really never explained. The whole thing felt so shallow. Pity, because the general premise had great potential.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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10

PRAJEEMay 17, 2015

The Lazarus Effect ;; awesome movie , olivia wilde acting superb//
MOVIE IS FULLY ENTERTAINER ,,
OVERALL AWESOME ONE .. .....................LOVE IT..

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

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2

TVJerryMar 4, 2015

Mark Duplass and Olivia Wilde play a couple of scientists who have discovered a serum that does what the title suggests. But unlike the grateful Bible character, the revived creature has all manner of unexplained dark powers. Just like theMark Duplass and Olivia Wilde play a couple of scientists who have discovered a serum that does what the title suggests. But unlike the grateful Bible character, the revived creature has all manner of unexplained dark powers. Just like the experiment, the film starts promisingly, but after the evil erupts the movie becomes predictable and dumb (black pupils, really?). Nothing makes much sense and the evil deeds aren't scary or inventive. On the positive side, the cinematography is attractive.… Expand