Over the past couple of years, various Sci-fi movies like Ready Player One and Ryan Reynold’s FreeGuy have utilised augmented reality and video game dynamics to create a successful blockbuster and with the gradual adoption of Web3 and the metaverse, we’re about to see more AR in movies.
Sight Extended is the latest sci-fi film that aims to bring the unlimited potential of AR to reality. It’s also an imaginative exploration of the dangers of letting technology take over our lives, as well as the terrifying possibilities of AR running amok.
The film stars Andrew Riddell as Patrick, a young man suffering from agoraphobia, an anxiety disorder that causes fear of places and situations that might cause panic, helplessness or embarrassment. After getting an invitation to a high school reunion, Patrick panics and looked up a few of his old classmates who are all seemingly doing great.
Fortunately for Patrick, he gets a new option that could help him regain his confidence; an AR app that can not only bring his video game skills to real life, but also cure his illness. Patrick is offered the app by a man called Alex (Phillip Andre Botello) who says he’s here to show people like him that there’s a way out.
Sight Extended combines the twisted dystopian visions of Black Mirror with the tense energy of techno-thrillers Limitless and Upgrade. The film also acts as a cautionary tale for the 21st century as it showcases the consequences of AR technology as an alternative to reality.
The film is directed by Daniel Lazo and Eran May-Raz and is available to stream from today in the US and scheduled to release in the UK next week, on June 12th.
Official Synopsis: In a near-future dominated by augmented-reality eyepieces, a troubled young man who suffers from agoraphobia experiences an unlikely transformation when he comes across a mysterious app that transforms every facet of his life into a game.
Isa Muhammad is a writer and video game journalist covering many aspects of entertainment media including the film industry. He's steadily writing his way to the sharp end of journalism and enjoys staying informed. If he's not reading, playing video games or catching up on his favourite TV series, then he's probably writing about them.
