The Fix 2024 Dystopian Body Horror In An Action Film

A few years ago writer-director Kelsey Egan released a title called Glasshouse. As a fan of the film, a follow-up feature, The Fix, has been previewed at its first festival in June at the Chattanooga Film Fest in Tennessee. The story follows model, Elle in a world where the air is toxic, pharma runs the show on who gets to breathe and drugs come in vials. While plenty of people are on the casting list, the main gist of the narrative concentrates on Elle.

Set in a concrete jungle landscape even the dogs wear masks. The rich are defined by the gadgets they can afford and the drug supplements they can acquire. Running frequent ads in downtown populated areas is a company with a shady agenda and a new drug that promises breathing without a mask. Everyone wants it, but is it too good to be true?

“Only the chosen will breathe”

Quote from the 2024 film, The Fix

Elle’s backstory is introduced quickly, and most people in her life pile on the misery in one form or another in quick succession. When it’s the anniversary of your mom’s death and your boyfriend has been dating your closest friend compounded by overhearing girls gossip about her from the toilet stall, it’s easy to say the day isn’t going that great. But having a bad day is ultimately where Elle is most comfortable. Her attitude and general ability to elicit empathy from the viewer might be hard to muster for some.

“Feelings are exhausting Gina.”

Quote from the dystopian action body horror movie, The Fix

What DNA is The Fix?

Elle comes across as the type of girl who has no idea how her friends feel about anything and even if she did she wouldn’t care. She has no filter and a sudden urge to get hammered after her dad holograms in to blame her for amounting to nothing. When her boyfriend Tully steals a blue vial that requires micro dosing slips out of his pocket, she downs the whole lot. Unbeknownst to her, this new unreleased drug has at first, an unspecified DNA agent along for the ride.

Elle’s transformation propels the narrative enough to require investment. When the big reveal is splayed out on the screen at the end of The Fix, there is enough fuel to keep going until you get there.

The Fix has an ill-fitting soundtrack. The song choice rarely fits the scene. The tonal element of the music was distracting at best and took away the impact of pivotal moments. It’s especially noticeable in the first nightclub scene because the club music fits the universe. The songs used to underpin the motives of the characters do not. They give Elle a rock edge. And rock, she is not. Elle’s character arc lacks emotional depth.

The care taken with special effects, costume design, and much of the main crux into how this world operates is next level. Egan is an astonishing writer when it comes to world-building and aesthetics. Her previous film The Glasshouse (read about that here) earned a five-star review at Mother of Movies.

There is no announcement for a release date for The Fix, but if you are a film festival fan, make sure to keep an eye out for this if you love a good transformation sequence.

The Fix is rated

2.5 science fiction universes out of 5

Director and writer Kelsey Egan
Starring Grace Van Dien, Daniel Sharman, and Aidan Scott.

For a movie with body mutations in the horror genre watch Suitable Flesh. For something science fiction technology mutations in its narrative watch Upgrade next. The Fix had its world premiere on June 23rd, 2024, and was provided as a screener. Join the conversation on Facebook with Mother of Movies.