Film Review - Another Day To Live Through (2023)

Although the pace is deliberately slow, this wilderness isolation horror tapestry and mystery of weird circumstances is set alight by an extraordinary avant-garde performance from relative newcomer, Lene Kqiku as solo backpacker Satu, returning to her homeland hoping to seek solace after a personal loss.

This British / Finnish co-production benefits from beautiful second to none scenery in particular alongside a lake It all actually assists in the narrative disconnect that occurs throughout, keep an eye on the background as much as foreground to get a grip on harsh scenarios within the time shifting story.

All seems fine when Satu meets elderly stranger, Lauri (Timo Torikka) assisting her, first with directions that may or may not be leading to an unsavoury masterplan.

Not quite Groundhog Day, it’s still a rolling spinifex plot beginning at day 10, before moving all over the place asking more questions than answering, so stick with it.

Time-shifting scenes throughout need a keen eye of observation.

This is not a movie you can casually watch whilst phone scrolling, the pay off will impact irers of movies with deepening characterisations to keep one guessing.

The waking nightmare cycle being endured, involving abuse is tough to watch, die hard David Lynch fans may be delighted with such obscure representation of blank faces, enhanced buzzing flies, a baffling babushka and an appropriate score of unconventional spindly music.

Not a perfect film, but certainly enjoyed the earnest creepiness with meaning.

Had never heard of writer-director Peter Simmons until now, what a dazzling introduction it is.

Triumphant praise must go to inquisitive lead Lene Kqiku, bringing a multidimensional performance yearning to provoke further discussion.