The thoughtful, ever-surprising and mysterious Universe25 embeds a fable of self-discovery in a dystopian sci-fi framework. Mott the Angel (Giacomo Gex) is sent to Earth, essentially on a cleanup mission, by a Creator (Andre Flynn) who is ready to pull the plug on our world. Mott dutifully searches urban Britain for the planet’s sole remaining saint until he happens upon an unlikely Everyman, the hardscrabble Romanian immigrant Andrei (Dan Socio). As Mott careens from Britain to Romania, he questions just what/who he aspires to be.
The gritty, noirish contemporary world is juxtaposed with Biblical references and imagery.
Hilariously, the story is revealed when the scroll that Mott writes for the Creator ends up in the lost mail bin, where it is read by a bitter postal clerk.
In a singular and impressive feature debut, writer-director Richard Melkonian has imagined a look at humanity from an space alien’s point of view. It’s an imaginative and witty blend of themes and genres.
I screened Universe25 for its world premiere at Slamdance, where it was my top Must See pick in the festival.
Through March 7, 2025, you can stream Universe25 on the Slamdance Slamdance Channel. A 2025 Slamdance Film Festival Virtual Pass, which brings you Universe25 and almost all of my Slamdance recommendations, only costs $50.
Here’s a clip.