Jamie Grefe’s Laserium is a wild, futuristic thrill ride that blurs the line between reality and fantasy in ways both exhilarating and disorienting. The film follows two women, played by Emerald Flower and Sofia Papuashvili, trapped in a high-stakes, surreal game show controlled by a maniacal director whose whims dictate life or death. From start to finish, Laserium keeps audiences on edge with its inventive twists, chills, and unpredictable narrative turns.
The film is unapologetically gonzo, embracing chaos and creative improv in a way that is as amusing as it is thrilling. From the absurdity of copious fake fog to monologues delivered through a rubber mask that reveal glimmers of vulnerability, Laserium exudes a contagious energy. Grefe’s performance as the over-the-top director—part wannabe Lynch, part Herzog, part tragically comedic Mr. Beast—is a highlight, combining menace, humor, and sheer theatricality.
While certain stretches, particularly after the Mantis injection, may feel a touch tedious as the characters engage in strange, fog-drenched theater games, these moments are offset by the film’s unique aura and occasional flashes of brilliance. The Whipping Intermission is an audacious touch that perfectly encapsulates the movie’s fearless embrace of experimental filmmaking. Visually, Grefe’s white-face paint and the film’s overall aesthetic provide a striking, almost hypnotic spectacle.
Laserium is a love letter to cinema in all its chaotic glory—fun, unsettling, and unpredictable. It’s not a conventional thriller, but for those willing to dive into its gonzo world, it’s a genuinely exciting experience. Life would indeed be better with a can of Laserium… and this film proves that sometimes, the future of entertainment is downright delirious.
Jessie Hobson