Older Self

“Michaels keeps his film grounded and rooted in its emotional core but injects a compelling high concept angle to it that elevates the moral…”

Reeling from the loss of his wife, a grieving widower contemplating suicide mysteriously transports himself inside his closet 30 years into the future where he comes face to face with the mystery of the unknown.

Writer/director Tom Michaels touching Sci-Fi drama Older Self is a superb reminder that not all Science Fiction films need to explore dark dystopian futures. Michaels keeps his film grounded and rooted in its emotional core but injects a compelling high concept angle to it that elevates the moral. The writing is subtle and doesn’t waste time with needless dialogue, relying instead on captivating performances and the space between the lines.

Michaels made a good choice to put his trust in Director of Photography David J. Myrick, as the cinematography really stood out. Keeping our hero character mostly out of focus during the opening scenes was bold choice and was fitting for the stories sense of loss. Finer details such as the vintage film grain helped to create a film stock look that gave it a distinct identity. The lighting also stood out as it was a crucial ingredient to the story to get right and create a setting for our characters to meet.

Tom Michaels also stars as Ben and delivered a solid performance. The role called for some dramatic moments and Michaels was able to make it his own with total authenticity and raw emotion. What’s interesting is that we see Ben as an older man as well, requiring Michaels to play opposite himself. Taking on the roles of writer, director and lead actor is a big undertaking but Michaels clear vision of the story and talented team made it all work.

Playing opposite Michaels is Malu Martins as Lua, who delivered a wonderful performance. Martins is quite literally the light at the end of the tunnel for Ben and plays it with confidence and understanding.

The story called for some aging make-up for both actors and was believable, allowing for many tight closeups which was essential to capture the emotion in the performances.

Older Self is a moving film with a solid premise that could certainly be expanded into a longer story. The overall message is powerful and a gentle reminder to audiences about holding on through trauma and getting the help you need. Give it a watch if you can…

— APEX Film Awards