There are very few people who are happy with their lot. Even the rich almost always seem to be lacking something. Whilst the grass might look greener on the other side it’s easy to covet what others have without sparing a thought for what their troubles are. If you could experience what less fortunate people go through, would you feel happier about your own life? This is the question we’re posed in Empathy, Inc.
After a multimillion-dollar deal goes bad, Joel (Zack Robidas) finds himself without a job, penniless and living with his wife’s (Kathy Searle) parents. Desperate to get his life back on track he jumps at the chance when an old friend (Eric Berryman) presents him with a business proposition. Along with his partner Lester (Jay Klaitz) he has created a virtual reality simulation that allows you to experience what others feel. All they need is investors.
Shot is glorious monochrome, Empathy, Inc. is a clever and innovative sci-fi thriller which repeatedly defies expectations. Yedidya Gorsetman’s film works due to a combination of a tight and suspenseful script and some great acting performances. It’s very much a four-hander and it’s the chemistry between the cast which makes it work. Empathy, Inc. is a superior indie genre flick with the potential to break wider.
Empathy, Inc. is out in US theatres on 13 September and released on VoD by Dark Star Pictures on 24 September.
11 comments
I was impressed to see Empathy Inc. effectively combine so many genres into one! First its noir with its black and white cinematography, then a sci-fi thriller about VR, and then a character driven crime film. Yedidya Gorsetman’s direction and Mark Leidner’s script do a great job of wrangling all these ideas into a cohesive and bold movie, definitely watch this one!
I just recently read an article in Variety Magazine about this film. I just saw the trailer and Wow!! Very excited about VOD release September 24, 2019.
This monochromatic film reminds me of The Twilight Zone with its black and white features that gives it an omniscient and eerie tone. The director, Yedidya Gorsetman, gives a refreshing spin on sci-fi thrillers with this compelling story. I . was blown away with the performance delivered in Empathy, inc., I’d have to recommend it!
In my opinion, the editing, by Shira Arad, in Empathy Inc. helps this sci-fi thriller keep true to its form while also adding elements of horror. The changing of scenes keeps people on the edge of their seats, frightening the unsuspecting. If you’re hoping for a good scare, this movie is sure to keep you on your toes.
Just saw this movie on iTunes, and I have to say it was a remarkable movie. The futuristic VR premise of the story was extremely intriguing and tied in perfectly with the thriller aspect of the movie. I was also very impressed with the acting, as some actors had to play multiple characters, which they did very well. Overall, it is a great sci-fi thriller that I could watch over and over again.
I really enjoyed the futuristic “Extreme Virtual Reality” technology in Empathy, Inc. I thought it gave the film a realistic conflict with an original twist. I would watch Empathy, Inc. again and again and learn something new each time from the mysterious technology. Definitely worth seeing!
Just watched this movie on iTunes, it was an absolute thrill! I’m gonna tell all my friends to watch it because it’s so interesting and I think the director did an amazing job. Plus, it would be a great watch for Halloween season!
I thought Empathy Inc. was an overall solid film. I loved the way it blended the horror and sci-fi genre together, including characteristic of each genre to balance each other out. This heightened the drama throughout the film and kept me hooked from beginning to end. I’d definitely recommend.
Empathy Inc’s riveting storyline was driven the direction of Yedidya Gorsetman and the compelling cast starring Zack Robidas and Jay Klaitz. This noir sci-fi truly stepped outside of the box, surpassing any limitations and exceeding my expectations. This film just hit VOD and I think it would be a good addition to your list of must-sees!
I really like how Empathy, Inc. was colored all black and white, even though it is a movie heavily focused on advanced technology. It really gave the film a dark tone, and also made me think about what time period this all could be taken place during. Overall, I thought it was phenomenal and I would definitely recommend!
Empathy, Inc., geniusly mixes the film noir genre with the creative originality of sci-fi, to create an amazing story revolving around a typical family man and the dangerous power of body switching via virtual reality. Seeing Joel (Zach Robidas) try to navigate this unfamiliar yet compelling world, created an eerily relatable suspense, which had me in constant suspense.