Latency Review: Psychological Horror Lacking in Depth, Scares, and Tension (2024)

An agoraphobic video game developer has her worst nightmares realized after agreeing to test a cutting-edge neural computer interface. Latency is largely unsuccessful in its muddled attempt at a sci-fi, horror, and techno-thriller mashup. A promising start loses the plot when the lines between psychosis and reality become blurred. The protagonist absurdly continues to use the device after anyone with a drop of common sense would smash it to bits and mail the pieces back with a lawsuit. Tired genre tropes then take hold as no real surprises sap intrigue toward a bewildering climax.

Hana (Sasha Luss) dodges monsters while blasting them with a futuristic gun. The attack comes to a screeching halt when one gets stuck in a wall. She takes off her VR headset and reports the glitch to an online colleague. The depressing and dingy state of her squalid apartment is revealed. Hana hasn't left in some time. Cases of energy drinks line the kitchen as she returns to her multi-monitor computer station.

Hana taps her keyboard as she plays another first-person shooter in a tournament. She hasn't paid her rent in months. A win would secure much-needed cash before an eviction notice. The doorbell rings with a keenly expected package. Hana huffs with trepidation. She begs the confused delivery man to leave it at the door and wait in the stairwell. Her anxiety increases as she turns off her alarm and unlocks several bolts.

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1.5/5

Latency

PG-13

Release Date

June 14, 2024

Director

James Croke

Cast

Sasha Luss , Alexis Ren

Main Genre

Horror

Writers

James Croke

Pros

• Raises relevant questions about the advancement of AI technology

Cons

• Riddled with plot holes
• Lack of real tension, there's no reason for the protagonist to continue using the technology
• Scares are ineffective

Battling VR Monsters

She unpacks the OMNIA with great anticipation. Hana doesn't have a clue what it actually does, but feels honored to be one of the first programmers to test it. She affixes the glowing white band to the back of her head. Then leaps when an AI's voice announces its presence in her mind. The OMNIA requests hours of training sessions to sync her thoughts and actions. The device will allow her to mentally control any linked device. Hana smiles at a devious plan. She's got a definite advantage in the next stage of the tournament but doesn't see a ghostly figure blip in the background.

Latency's setting doesn't change to reinforce Hana's crippling social anxiety disorder. Writer-director James Croke establishes her deep fears to frame a rabid acceptance of the OMNIA. She's got something that reinforces the need to never leave. But drum roll please, Hana's not a true loner. Croke introduces her best friend and kind upstairs neighbor, Jen (Alexis Ren) is allowed to enter Hana's inner sanctum. She dutifully brings supplies, cooks dinner, and serves as a glib dancing partner for jumping around. Hana's introversion apparently has exceptions.

Latency Takes a Downward Turn

The rub is that the OMNIA unlocks subconscious memories. What was hidden in the dark recesses of Hana's brain comes out raging like a tiger. She begins to relive the troubled childhood that caused her psychological ailment. This is the point where Latency's script devolves into head-scratching moments.

Hana is ostensibly a highly intelligent person. She's a computer expert, depicted as an elite gamer, but somehow ignores every warning sign that the device isn't working as expected. She starts to lose her mind but inexplicably keeps using it. To be clear, the OMNIA isn't some parasite that can't be chucked in the trash. There's literally no reason why she just can't take it off. This is a big narrative flaw that torpedoes the entire premise.

The glaring lack of logic wouldn't matter if the visceral moments were effective. Plot holes can be overlooked if you're genuinely scared. That doesn't happen because it's obvious everything Hana's seeing is purely a figment of her imagination. You don't have to call the Ghostbusters if there's no actual ghost. The horror elements feel stale and contrived. Her descent into madness and paranoia could have been advertised on a billboard.

A Glimmer of Interesting Themes

Latency does bring up an interesting philosophical debate, which isn't artfully handled but has discussion merit. The OMNIA is essentially a fully realized version of Elon Musk's Neuralink, where a chip is implanted in the brain and allows paraplegics to operate computers with synaptic impulses. That's a positive and genuinely humanistic embrace of technology. But for the able-bodied who are already dependent on digital interconnectivity, these advances promote further physical isolation and social distress. Why go anywhere when you can just think about ordering food and toilet paper? The possibilities are extraordinary and equally terrifying.

Latency needed a better script and execution. It's sadly predictable when there was an opportunity to think outside the box. Devices like the OMNIA aren't some far-off fantasy. Let's pray their impact won't be overwhelmingly negative and lull us into The Matrix. Luss and Ren are decent given the material, but their model good looks hilariously don't represent the average stay-at-home demo tester.

Latency is a production of Grindstone Entertainment Group and Kaos Entertainment. It will be released theatrically on June 14th from Lionsgate. You can watch the trailer below.