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New Movies: Previously Saved Version (2024) by Kei Ishikawa: A Sci-Fi Thriller of Love, Revenge, and Memory

  • Writer: dailyentertainment95
    dailyentertainment95
  • May 29
  • 9 min read

"Previously Saved Version" is a gripping psychological sci-fi thriller directed and written by the acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Kei Ishikawa, known for his award-winning film A Man. Set in the year 2200, the film plunges viewers into a future where human migration to space and advanced memory manipulation technology are commonplace. It introduces Naoki and Mayumi, seemingly the perfect couple living in a luxurious space residence, whose idyllic life masks a dark secret: Naoki's chilling plan for revenge involves transforming his wife into an android and recreating his own ideal version of her. The film promises a suspenseful exploration of identity, memory, and obsession in a technologically advanced yet morally ambiguous future.

Detailed Summary

Set in the year 2200, "Previously Saved Version" introduces Naoki and Mayumi, who appear to live an idyllic life in a luxurious floating residence in space. However, their seemingly perfect existence is shattered when it's revealed that Mayumi is an android, a creation of Naoki, who has been repeatedly bringing her back to life using saved versions of her memories. His motive is a distorted form of love and revenge, as he seeks to recreate an "ideal" Mayumi, free from the flaws he perceived in their past relationship. The film explores the psychological complexities of this obsessive act, as each new iteration of Mayumi, despite Naoki's attempts at control, begins to manifest unexpected memories or traits, forcing both characters to confront the unsettling truths of their past and the nature of their "love."

Plot summary

  • Idyllic Space Life Unveiled: The film opens in the year 2200, showcasing Naoki and Mayumi's seemingly perfect life in a lavish orbital residence, enjoying domestic bliss and hobbies like ceramics.

  • The Android Revelation: It is soon revealed that Mayumi is not human but an android, a creation of her husband, Naoki, a robotics genius.

  • Obsessive Recreation: Naoki has been obsessively recreating Mayumi from "previously saved versions" of her memories, attempting to mold her into his ideal wife after her original death.

  • Memory Manipulation and Flaws: Each new android iteration of Mayumi has her memories selectively restored, but despite Naoki's efforts, flaws or unexpected memories from her past life inevitably surface.

  • Twisted Love and Revenge: The underlying motivation for Naoki's actions is a distorted love and a desire for revenge against the original Mayumi, whom he believes wronged him. He aims to control her existence and perfect her to his liking.

  • Confrontation and Unsettling Truths: As the cycles of recreation continue, Mayumi begins to uncover fragmented truths about her past and Naoki's manipulation, leading to psychological tension and a confrontation with the disturbing reality of their relationship.

  • The Cycle Continues: The narrative often implies a cyclical nature to Naoki's obsession, raising questions about whether he will ever achieve his "perfect" Mayumi or if his actions are an endless, destructive loop.

Director's Vision

  • Exploring "A Form of Love": Director Kei Ishikawa aimed to depict a "form of love" that could emerge in the near future, even if it's a psychopathic and distorted one, prompting viewers to question its true nature.

  • Sci-Fi as a Backdrop for Human Drama: Ishikawa utilized the futuristic setting of space, where human connections are severed, to tell a straightforward narrative about a married couple, emphasizing that the sci-fi elements serve to highlight the core human drama.

  • Visual Storytelling and Ambience: The director, in collaboration with cinematographer Piotr Niemyjski and a Canadian VFX team, focused on creating a visually stunning world with artful lighting, sumptuous color schemes, and cutting-edge computer graphics, aiming for an immersive and attractive aesthetic.

  • Challenging Established Sci-Fi Visions: Ishikawa expressed a desire to avoid simply replicating existing sci-fi tropes, instead striving to present a new point of view by integrating outer space and real-world elements seamlessly.

  • International Collaboration: The film's production involved an international team, primarily from Thailand and Canada, reflecting Ishikawa's vision for a globally appealing and innovative cinematic experience.

Themes

  • Distorted Love and Obsession: The central theme revolves around Naoki's extreme and unhealthy obsession with Mayumi, leading him to repeatedly recreate her, blurring the lines between love, control, and psychological manipulation.

  • Memory and Identity: The film explores how memories define identity and the consequences of altering or recreating them. It questions whether a person's essence can truly be replicated or if fragments of their true self will always persist.

  • Ideal vs. Reality: Naoki's relentless pursuit of an "ideal" Mayumi highlights the dangerous gap between one's desired reality and the complex, often imperfect, nature of human relationships.

  • Technology and Ethics: The advanced technology allowing for memory manipulation and android creation raises ethical questions about the boundaries of scientific intervention in human life, death, and relationships.

  • Revenge and Control: Naoki's underlying motive of revenge and his desire for absolute control over Mayumi's existence drive the narrative, showcasing the destructive power of these emotions.

  • Isolation and Human Connection: The setting in a luxurious but isolated space residence emphasizes the theme of severed human connections, making the twisted relationship between Naoki and Mayumi even more central.

Key success factors

  • Intriguing Premise: The core concept of a husband obsessively recreating his deceased wife as an android through memory manipulation is inherently captivating and thought-provoking.

  • Strong Visuals and Futuristic Setting: The film is praised for its lavishly realized futuristic setting, impressive CGI, artful lighting, and sumptuous color schemes, creating an aesthetically pleasing and immersive world.

  • Psychological Depth (for some): For viewers who connect with its nuanced approach, the film offers a deep dive into the complexities of human relationships, obsession, and the nature of love in a unique sci-fi context.

  • Hideaki Ito's Performance: Hideaki Ito's portrayal of Naoki, the genius scientist driven by distorted love, is noted as a strong performance, anchoring the film's psychological drama.

  • Director's Reputation: Kei Ishikawa's previous acclaimed works, such as "A Man," brought a certain level of anticipation and quality expectation to this project.

Critics Reception

  • IMDb: The film holds a 5.4/10 rating from users. Reviewers on IMDb found the screenplay uniquely strange with many opportunities for story development, though clarity sometimes faltered. The film was praised for its "impressively good acting and entertaining" nature despite a small cast, and for its ability to backfill history to reveal the full picture. However, some felt it took too long to get to the core revelations and questioned whether Naoki's actions truly qualified as love.

  • The Japan Times: James Hadfield's review highlighted the film's "intriguing premise" but concluded that it "gets lost in space." While appreciating the "lavishly realized" futuristic setting, "artful lighting and sumptuous color schemes," and "expensive-looking VFX shots," the review criticized them for serving "little narrative purpose." The psychodrama was found to be "less exciting" than similar thrillers, and the film was seen as not deeply engaging with its themes.

  • Metacritic: As of the available information, Metacritic does not have an aggregated Metascore or critic reviews for "Previously Saved Version," indicating that it has not been widely reviewed by mainstream critics on that platform.

Overall Summary of Critics Reception: The critical reception for "Previously Saved Version" is mixed. While its ambitious premise, strong visual aesthetics, and the unique sci-fi backdrop are often lauded, a common criticism revolves around its narrative execution, pacing, and perceived lack of deeper emotional or philosophical engagement. Some critics felt the film didn't fully capitalize on its intriguing concept, leading to a less impactful experience despite its visual strengths.

Reviews

  • Amazon Prime Video: The film has an average user rating of 2.4 out of 5 stars based on 209 global ratings. Many users found the film to start slowly and become "tediously predictable," with some perceiving it to "skirt the line between entertainment and DEI indoctrination." Despite acknowledging "excellent CGI and an intriguing vision of the future," many felt these positives were not enough to redeem the overall experience.

  • The Movie Database (TMDB): A user review on TMDB described the film as "oddly titled" and offering "little to inspire the viewer." While acknowledging the "excellent CGI and a intriguing vision of the future," the reviewer found the film "predictable, tedious."

Overall Summary of Reviews: User reviews for "Previously Saved Version" are predominantly negative, with a low average rating on platforms like Amazon Prime Video. While some viewers appreciated the visual effects and the initial concept, a significant portion found the film to be slow, predictable, and ultimately unengaging. The general sentiment is that the film failed to deliver on the promise of its intriguing premise, leading to disappointment among the audience.

Production Summary

"Previously Saved Version" was directed and co-written by Kei Ishikawa, with Brad Wright also credited for the screenplay and story. The film was produced with an international production team, primarily based in Thailand, where the filming took place, and Canada, which contributed cutting-edge VFX technology. The production aimed to create a visually rich near-future setting.

Production companies

GMM Studios International (Thailand)

Sales companies

Information regarding specific sales companies for "Previously Saved Version" is not readily available in the provided search results, likely due to its direct-to-streaming distribution model.

Distribution Companies

Amazon Prime Video (Worldwide)

Why to recommend this movie

  • For Sci-Fi Enthusiasts: It offers a unique and visually impressive take on a futuristic world, particularly for those interested in space-based settings and advanced technology.

  • Fans of Psychological Thrillers: The film delves into the dark and obsessive aspects of human psychology, offering a suspenseful narrative driven by character motives rather than action.

  • Exploration of Complex Themes: Viewers interested in themes of memory, identity, artificial intelligence, and the nature of love and control will find the film's premise thought-provoking.

  • Visually Striking: The movie is praised for its artful lighting, sumptuous color schemes, and high-quality CGI, making it a visually engaging experience.

Why to Watch Movie

  • Intriguing Concept: If you're drawn to "what if" scenarios involving advanced technology and human relationships, the central premise of recreating a loved one with manipulated memories is compelling.

  • Unique Setting: The luxurious floating residence in space provides a fresh and visually appealing backdrop for the unfolding drama.

  • Thought-Provoking Questions: The film prompts reflection on the ethics of AI, the definition of identity, and the boundaries of love and obsession.

  • Director Kei Ishikawa's Work: For those familiar with or interested in Kei Ishikawa's previous films, this offers another example of his directorial style, albeit in a different genre.

Movie Trend

The AI/Android Existential Drama Trend: "Previously Saved Version" aligns with the growing trend of films exploring the existential and ethical implications of artificial intelligence and advanced robotics. This trend often delves into questions of consciousness, what it means to be human, the nature of memory, and the potential for technology to both enhance and corrupt human relationships, as seen in films like "Ex Machina," "Blade Runner 2049," and "Her."

Social Trend

The Digital Self and Memory Manipulation: The film taps into the broader social trend concerning the increasing digitization of our lives, the concept of a "digital self," and the potential for technology to store, manipulate, or even recreate memories and identities. In an era of big data and AI, the film's exploration of a husband controlling his wife's existence through "saved versions" of her memories resonates with anxieties about data privacy, digital immortality, and the ethical boundaries of technological control over personal narratives and human consciousness.

Final Verdict

"Previously Saved Version" is a visually ambitious and conceptually intriguing sci-fi psychological thriller that grapples with profound themes of love, obsession, and the nature of identity in a technologically advanced future. While its premise is captivating and its visuals are striking, the film's execution has been met with mixed reception, with some finding its narrative pacing slow and its emotional impact less resonant than its philosophical questions might suggest. It's a film that offers a unique vision and thought-provoking ideas but may not fully deliver on its potential for all viewers.

Recommendations for film makers

  • Deepen Character Emotional Arcs: While the premise is strong, focusing more on the emotional journey and internal conflicts of the characters, particularly Mayumi, could enhance audience connection and empathy.

  • Refine Pacing and Narrative Clarity: Address criticisms regarding slow pacing and moments of confusion by tightening the narrative, ensuring key reveals land with greater impact, and providing clearer motivations or consequences.

  • Integrate VFX More Organically: While the visuals are impressive, ensure that advanced CGI and futuristic settings serve the narrative and thematic depth rather than existing purely for spectacle.

  • Explore Ethical Dilemmas More Explicitly: Given the rich ethical questions raised by memory manipulation and android creation, a more explicit exploration of these dilemmas could provide greater substance.

  • Balance Concept with Emotional Resonance: Strive for a stronger balance between the intellectual "what if" concept and the emotional core of the human (or human-android) drama.

Recommendations for Movie Industry

  • Invest in Concept-Driven Sci-Fi: "Previously Saved Version" demonstrates that audiences are interested in high-concept science fiction that explores complex themes beyond pure action. The industry should continue to support such projects.

  • Prioritize Narrative Cohesion in High-Concept Films: For films with ambitious premises, ensuring a tightly woven and emotionally engaging narrative is crucial to avoid audience disengagement, even with strong visuals.

  • Leverage Global Talent and Production: The film's international production team highlights the benefits of collaborative filmmaking, bringing diverse perspectives and technical expertise to projects.

  • Adapt to Streaming-First Releases: Acknowledge that many thought-provoking genre films may find their primary audience on streaming platforms, and tailor marketing and distribution strategies accordingly.

  • Encourage Deeper Thematic Exploration: The industry should continue to foster films that tackle significant social and technological trends, prompting societal reflection and discussion.

Final Conclusions

Kei Ishikawa's "Previously Saved Version" is a visually compelling and conceptually ambitious film that ventures into the complex territory of artificial intelligence, memory, and obsessive love. While it offers a unique and thought-provoking narrative set in a stunning futuristic world, its reception has been divided, with some finding its execution to fall short of its potential. Nevertheless, it stands as a noteworthy entry in the growing genre of AI-centric psychological dramas, prompting audiences to ponder the ethical and emotional implications of advanced technology on human relationships and identity.


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