There is something intangible about The Manifestation that addresses AI, explores notions of self and does it without leaning into cliche. Over the course of this character-driven contemporary thriller, writer-director Geert Heetebrij focuses on the relationship between Stephen (Jack Kesy) and Roni (Inbar Lavi). Driven by ambition Stephen is reckless and self-assured while Roni remains pragmatic. Preferring the stability of a career in law over unpredictable money markets Lavi ensures audiences invest early on.
On the surface this relationship thriller seems quite pedestrian, since limited locations and stripped back dialogue do little to maintain momentum. What does grab the eye in those early scenes is an understated chemistry between these actors, as they work to establish an emotional connection. Meanwhile, flashbacks provide context and introduce pivotal bit-part players including Michael (Usman Ally), a self-help guru who ties this whole film together.
As a premise The Manifestation is tightly constructed and told with economy yet dives into areas of the human condition that other indie dramas might avoid. Once Roni transforms into Vronika, following a supernatural moment of summoning from Stephen, stock market trends are soon the least of his worries. Boundaries of trust are broken, and bank accounts plundered, as this ethereal presence takes control of their assets. Blind to the damage she is doing yet powerless to see past those dollar signs, Vronika reflects his avarice, dressed up as a selfless act of indulgence aimed at an oblivious Roni.
Whether Vronika is a projection of his own ambitions, a hallucination brought on by psychological trauma, or something supernatural comes down to perspective. Much of what makes The Manifestation work comes down to its audience, since everyone watches films differently. Heetebrij leaves so many questions unanswered in terms of his motivations, especially in those latter stages, that comparisons with Christopher Nolan’s Inception are inevitable.
Realities are a matter of opinion. The difference between our past and present is subjective and potentially negotiable, meaning that manifestation in any sense might only be a matter of willpower. Whether Stephen tapped into an unexplored area of his subconscious to release Vronika or not is up for discussion. That she begins to share the same scenes with Roni later on opens the door on other debates, all of which remain unresolved.
What The Manifestation does successfully is challenge its audience by getting them to think for themselves. By layering a conventional thriller over the top of some complex ideas, writer-director Heetebrij creates something that appeases both the head and heart. The human need for connection trumps almost every other instinct aside from survival, although it could be argued that these two go hand in hand. Better yet, it might imply that we already share a unified consciousness experiencing each other simultaneously, making us all figments of a singular imagination.
For those who prefer their thrillers more cut and dried, The Manifestation might seem a touch abstract and intellectually overindulgent, but since when did challenging films become a bad thing?
The Manifestation is available to stream on Prime Video now.
