eXistenZ

Jennifer Jason Leigh stars as a videogame designer on the run in David Cronenberg’s creepy sci-fi thriller.

The upcoming immersive game eXistenZ is the brainchild of the visionary videogame designer Allegra Geller (Jennifer Jason Leigh).

Targeted by violent anti-game terrorists who want to bring her down, Allegra finds herself on the run with only junior marketing assistant Ted Pikul (Jude Law) to protect her.

After an assassination attempt leaves the beta version of her game damaged - Allegra and Ted need to examine the game.

It’s time to enter eXistenZ.

Curator’s Note

Are humans merging with technology or is tech just getting fleshier? David Cronenberg has spent his career blurring that line.

Coinciding with the release of commercial VR headsets in the 1990s, virtual worlds became a cinematic stage for our uncertainties and anxieties. The Lawnmower Man, Virtuosity and The Thirteenth Floor scratched that itch to fairly lukewarm critical responses. David Cronenberg’s eXistenZ, on the other hand captured critical attention.

The film premiered at the 49th Berlin International Film Festival where it screened in competition and was awarded the Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution. Despite this acclaim, eXistenZ feels like an underrated gem, ripe for discovery, or rediscovery as the case may be.

– Reece Goodwin, Curator (Film & TV)