Dir. Tim Hautekiet (2024)
A stand-up comedian finds himself stuck between worlds while his physical body lies on a bathroom floor.
Multiple dimension films are all the rage now, especially in the indie space. The increased availability of affordable filmmaking technologies have made these types of films accessible to filmmakers who in previous times wouldn't have been able to attempt to put on-screen the things that were in their head, at least not with the same effectiveness. There's a certain level of necessary magical realism involved, and that's always been incredibly hard to do visually without a decent-sized budget. Thankfully, these new options have paved the way for filmmakers to tell these stories, and while its difficult to do this type of film well, I've seen a surprising number of films recently that actually nailed what they're going for. Director Tim Hautekiet, in his feature debut, delivers another good one, an exploration of personal trauma and introspection that hits on pretty much every level.
Jack (Jack De Sena) is a stand-up comic who is trying to utilize his recent break-up with his girlfriend Mia (Kelly Marie Tran) as inspiration for his act. In his most recent performance, however, he realizes that he no longer exists in the same plane of reality that he was in before, traveling in and out of memories, with his best friend Chris (Chris W. Smith), that have shaped his existence. He learns that his physical body is lying on the bathroom floor of his apartment, and he quickly comes to understand that he must find a way to wake himself up before he is lost in the alternate dimension forever.
A lot of these "alternate reality" films struggle to maintain a coherent story because of the natural convolution that comes from stories told in multiple layers. Me, Myself & the Void avoids almost all of this by not focusing on the realities themselves but rather a life told through multiple angles. Jack is trying to find out why he is where he is rather than trying to explore all of these different planes. The film is a discussion of self-therapy, working through problems by exploring causes and correlation as opposed to escaping into these other realms, a normal focus for films like this. This diversion from the typical path is a welcome one, and it makes the film much more emotionally poignant than it perhaps otherwise would've been.
The setup of the film, about a stand-up comedian struggling with his reality, works especially well because the film is legitimately funny. The script, co-written by director Tim Hautekiet and Nik Oldershaw, is fantastic, and the deliveries from De Sena (who is an All That veteran) and Smith are flawless for the film's tone. It's also interesting to see Tran, who was lambasted for her performance in Star Wars by online idiots despite absolutely not being the problem with that film, in a very different role. She's quite good as well, contributing to an ensemble that helps carry what becomes an excellent film altogether.
All in all, Me, Myself & the Void is endearing, heartfelt, and incredibly entertaining. Its brilliant use of the alternate universe concept works perfectly for what the film is trying to do, and the cast fully commits to delivering an indie comedy that hits you right in the feels. It's an excellent film, and it's one that I hope people will get the chance to see. It's a wonderful exploration of mental health and the struggles to accept the need for therapy. It's important to tell the people who love you how you feel, and I appreciate Hautekiet's attempts to show that to an audience through a film that's worth watching.
Who this movie is for: Indie comedy lovers, Alternate dimension movie fans, Failed comics
Bottom line: Me, Myself & the Void is an excellent indie comedy with a lot to say. The cast is outstanding, the writing is amazing, and it's genuinely funny and heartwarming throughout. It handles its subject matter with grace and precision, never falling into the holes that so many of its contemporaries struggle to avoid. If you get the chance to check it out, I definitely recommend that you do so.