Horror Movie Review: Cosmic Contact (2015)

Cosmic Contact aka Shadows on the Wall is one of those science fiction horror films that could have been something quite special. Alas, a lack of budget, a lack of depth, a lack of characters, and a lack of finesse, means it’s wholly unremarkable.

Written and directed by Ben Carland, the core concept of Cosmic Contact is excellent. Based around a few college students who create a device like no other. It can see beyond the boundaries of the known universe. Unfortunately for them, this prying has got the attention of things that exist out there.

As I said, a great core concept that, when put under scrutiny, falls apart like the cheap device that represents the life-changing scope. Something Carland was clearly aware of, so he does his best to distract. First, by having characters say things all the time, with very little reason, and when needed, fill in the plot, even though it requires insane logic jumps that no sensible person would reach for. Unless they had been told to do so by the script.

Do you see the problem? Well, it gets worse as these actors (Chris M. Kauffmann, Tim Fox, and Nicole Brimberry) have trouble with a lot of dialogue that has no substance and repeats a hell of a lot. That being said, while they avoid the blame for dodgy dialogue, their hilarious underreaction to insane events is all on them. It’s the funniest parts of a film that is not a comedy in any way.

No big deal, right? It’s a science fiction horror film, right? Surely that side of things holds up, right?

While it might be based in science fiction, and the convoluted story is certainly reminiscent of a certain style, there’s not enough going on (visually) to be anything of note. Likewise, while the creep factor does initially build with the idea of unknown entities existing far beyond our universe, it dissipates when the reality of that idea is put into practice. So much talking, so little seen, but this is a budget issue more than anything else.

It looks and feels cheap, which wouldn’t be a problem if wasn’t for the repeated fact that Cosmic Contact is just a waste of everyone’s time. Watch it, get frustrated with it, then forget about it a day later. A damning summation of this film.