In
the near future, Islamic Jihadists are even more dangerous than they are now,
especially those that come from the future. Ninety-nine jihadists led by a
shadowy mastermind code-named Abraham have come back in time to use their
knowledge to wreak havoc on the Western world. The CIA has captured one of
them, but interrogating him will be a tricky business in director-screenwriter Gaurev
Seth’s Prisoner X (trailer here), which opens this Friday in
Toronto.
Thanks
to his nano-implants, the mysterious Ramiro is highly resistant to traditional forms
of enhanced interrogation, but he might be willing to talk if the government is
willing to accommodate him. His detailed knowledge of “future” events convinces
Agent Fischer he is indeed who and what he claims to be. Unfortunately, Ramiro
is rather cagey about what he chooses to reveal and his general trustworthiness
remains in doubt.
To help
him manage the time traveler, Fischer has the POTUS reactivate his retired
former lover, CIA Agent Carmen Reese. However, Fischer unexpectedly kills
himself by the time she reaches the subterranean military prison dubbed the “Sandbox.”
Reese’s investigation of the murky circumstances surrounding the suicide lead
to questions about Jefferson, the prison commandant, as well as Ramiro.
Seth’s
adaptation of Robert Reed’s Hugo nominated novella “Truth” is unusual in the
way it de-emphasizes the usual motifs of time travel science fiction (Butterfly
Effects and the like) in favor of more apocalyptic concerns. Despite Fischer’s
efforts, Abraham the other ninety-seven jihadists have brought the world to the
brink of Armageddon. America has already suffered more nuclear attacks than
during the entire run of 24. The
stakes are high and time is running low.
Michelle
Nolden is appealingly smart and no-nonsense as Agent Reese. Granted, her
character has an amply tragic backstory, but she carries herself with the kind
of confidence you would hope to see in a CIA Agent trying to prevent Doomsday. Her
presence and nuance nicely anchors the film. Cult actor Julian Richings (Ejecta and Patch Town) also does some of his best work in recent years as
suspicious Jefferson. Problematically, Romano Orzari’s Ramiro is a little light
in the brooding intensity department, but the ominous double-secret prison backdrop
helps to compensate.
