Movie Review: First Person Savior

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Despite a limited budget and the need to maintain technical coherence, this independent psychological drama offers a unique idea, a strong central performance, and a refreshingly unconventional style.

“First Person Shooter” or FPS is a popular type of video game where you experience the action through the eyes of a character wielding a weapon. These games are often action-packed and focus on using skills and weaponry to defeat opponents. First Person Savior is a creative take on this genre, adding a layer of psychological depth to the usual gameplay with its story.

The movie centers on Abe, a lonely and unremarkable man who leads a very repetitive life. He spends his nights playing violent video games and his days cleaning a parking lot, seemingly struggling with sadness after his mother’s death. His detached and quiet demeanor offers a commentary on modern society’s tendency to indulge in distractions and excess. The film opens with a sweeping aerial shot, gradually focusing on Abe and his daily cycle of work, gaming, sleeplessness, and unhealthy eating.

Ramzi Abed created this experimental film as a personal project, handling nearly every aspect of its production. Starting with an idea he’d had for a long time, he wrote, produced, filmed, directed, and edited the low-budget feature, taking on the most important creative roles himself.

The movie shares similarities with films like Falling Down and Groundhog Day, exploring the stress of work and the feeling of repeating the same routine. These ideas create a subtle current throughout the film, which blends satire with different genres. John Karyus plays Abe, a character reminiscent of someone from Office Space, bringing humor to his situation. However, the movie also features a sci-fi score and unsettling, dreamlike moments that add a darker edge.

Okay, so this film isn’t your typical story. It throws out the rulebook and instead just shows us slices of life with its main character, Abe – we’re riding the bus with him, hanging out while he games, that sort of thing. It’s an interesting idea, but sometimes it feels a little thin, like what started as a short film got padded out. Still, there’s this really cool, almost David Lynch-esque vibe that pulls you in and keeps things strangely captivating. It’s more about a feeling than a plot, really.

“Society, right!?”

This film embodies the spirit of independent, low-budget filmmaking, relying heavily on handheld camera work. The editing feels deliberately rough and creative, though it sometimes lacks polish. The filmmakers enhance the experimental feel with quick flashes and dark visual filters. While the limited budget shows in areas like lighting, sound, and costumes, the director makes the most of what’s available, using simple effects to create atmosphere and working with a diverse cast, even if the performances vary in quality.

I was completely drawn in by John Karyus – he’s in nearly every scene, and his performance is just mesmerizing in its subtlety. He manages to convey so much with so few words, creating a character who feels peaceful on the surface, but with a hidden intensity. The other actors are a bit uneven, though James Duval really shines in his role, but thankfully they don’t overshadow Karyus. Once you embrace the film’s independent spirit and realize it wasn’t made with a huge budget, something amazing happens – a really unsettling, thrilling atmosphere builds. It feels like anything could go wrong at any moment, and that’s what I loved most about it.

First Person Savior is a strange and unique film that has gained a dedicated following. It’s a psychological drama with surreal, dreamlike qualities where it’s often hard to tell what’s real. Although the film was made on a limited budget and could have been more polished and concise, it’s still a fascinating blend of genres.

Abed’s film skillfully creates a distinct mood and feeling. Although its slow pace and somewhat unpolished visuals might appeal more to fans of independent or art films, it powerfully conveys a singular perspective on loneliness and the desire to escape.

Experimental

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2026-02-05 14:43