The Complex: Lockdown: Dramatic Virus Thriller Not So Thrilling (or Dramatic)

By Thom Ernst

Rating: C-

The Complex: Lockdown begins with a scaled-down view of a chemical-war strike against London. There is not much need for complex science-fiction detailing, just a shot of a lone figure in a flashy orange-red hazmat suit running along an empty seaside. Nothing says chemical fallout better than barren beaches and colourful, chemically protected outerwear.

The runner is Dr. Amy Tenant (Michelle Mylett), a leading expert in chemical viruses. She meets up with her colleague, Dr. Rees Wakefield (Al Weaver), and together, they fight to save the lives of two infected victims. Things don't go well, and by the end of the scene, Tenant stands helpless with no sign of Wakefield.

Five years later, Dr. Tenant pitches the development of a new vaccine to a group of skeptical financiers. These are severe masters-of-industry types with masters-of-industry tough questions. They are not necessarily anti-vaccinators but from the many cutaway shots of their concerned faces and furrowed brows, they clearly have an issue with this vaccine. But their concerns go unanswered when Tenant leaves the meeting following the news of another chemical attack.

Soon Tenant is in a secured laboratory along with the terrorist suspect (Kim Adis) and—big reveal—that rascally Dr. Rees Wakefield. Yep. He's back. Despite abandoning Tenant years earlier, Wakefield not only keeps his medical credentials but has furthered his studly creds by leading an adventure-filled life of bungee jumping and skydiving. Tenant considers Wakefield a traitor, but no one is listening.

So, while the doctors are left to work out their personal grudges, head office tasks them with harnessing the spread of the virus, while the suspected terrorist, infected with the virus, argues her innocence. Meanwhile, a trio of hired assassins storms the barricades to kill the suspect who may or may not have damning information against the government.

After reading the film's synopsis, I hoped for something along the lines of Andromeda Strain (1971). Of course, there are sizable budget differences between the films (inflation considered) and a notable difference in their story source—Andromeda Strain comes from a book by Michael Crichton, and The Complex: Lockdown from an interactive video game. But not even with the advantage of a current pandemic can The Complex: Lockdown manage to achieve anything close to the suspense created in Andromeda.

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I can overlook the film's budget constraints; great films have been made for less. I can even ignore its video game pedigree, although the film has all the appeal of a feature-length promo. What I can't get beyond is the film’s leaden attempts to excite by doling out visions of the future from a pool of derivative science-fiction tropes: oversized monitors, holographic computer images, and his-and-her matching form-fitted hazmat suits. And capping all of this is an ill-fitting soundtrack that runs beneath the film like someone has left the volume cranked up on their Minecraft game.

Many of the performances, particularly among the roles that matter, collapse under the weight of poorly executed action sequences and awkward bits of uninspired dialogue. Weaver suffers the most, trying to play Wakefield as the rogue charmer. He simply does not have the means to pull it off. And what charm Weaver does manage is sabotaged with lame retorts like "If I told you, I'd have to kill you." And an even lamer-than-average 'that's what she said' joke because the scientist in the vortex of massive pandemic loves to blow off steam with a staple bit of old fashion misogynist humour.

Then there is the gang at headquarters who may or may not be trustworthy. Who you decide to lay your suspicions on will depend on which pandemic movies you’ve been watching.

But for all the film's eye-bleeding and blood puking, there is not much in the way of drama, let alone thrills. And yet, The Complex: Lockdown builds towards a decent conclusion that, despite all that happens (or hasn't happened), feels like something close to a worthwhile payoff. But not worthwhile enough, I'm afraid. The ending only makes you aware of how much better the movie could have been.

The Complex: Lockdown. Directed by Paul Raschid. Starring Michelle Mylett, Al Weaver, Kim Adis, and Kate Dickie. Available on digital platforms beginning October 13.