Mindfulness, a practice from Eastern thought that focuses on living in the present moment, remains very popular. While there is clear evidence showing the health benefits of mindfulness, its potential to alter the mind is also a common theme in horror and comedy.
In Miguel Llansó’s Infinite Summer, a group of young women’s lives are turned upside down when they meet Dr. Mindfulness (Ciaron Davies). His mysterious mindfulness technology has a much stranger and more powerful effect than the women could have expected.
The film combines a coming-of-age story, a look at future technology, and a satire of quick-enlightenment trends into one unique package.
This is not the first time a wellness practice has been used in a horror comedy. Yoga has been featured in films like Kevin Smith’s Yoga Hosers, Alex Henes and Matthew Merenda’s Mind Body Spirit, and had a gory scene in In a Violent Nature. Wellness cleanses are addressed in The Cleanse.
Films like Ben Wheatley’s In The Earth and Jaco Bouwer’s Gaia offer dark takes on close-to-nature communities. Animal rights activists often appear in movies where animals spread a plague, such as Alex Garland’s 28 Days Later. Here, a new mindfulness device, with hints of surrealism and conspiracy, takes a young woman on a path of self-discovery.
What is Infinite Summer About?
Summer brings joys like sunshine, friendship, and meeting new people. As she approaches adulthood, Mia (Teele Kaljuvee-O’Brock) plans to spend time with her best friend Grete (Johanna Rosin) in Tallinn, Estonia. However, Grete becomes distracted by Sarah (Hannah Gross), and Mia feels left out.
The Extreme Dating app introduces them to Dr. Mindfulness, who Mia contacts when she feels lonely. He visits unexpectedly and gives her a strange mindfulness app with a suspicious respirator and mysterious inhalants. Mia tries it out of boredom and skepticism.
The app introduces her to ‘Eleusis’, a meditation guide in the form of a smoke-filled, talking wormhole. As Mia and her friends use the device, it begins to change them, and Interpol detectives start investigating a cyber-crime connected to it.
The setup cleverly explores the strange changes that come with transitional ages and self-discovery. Mia feels distanced from her friend who is eager to grow up, and she is confused about her own desires and future. It’s a vulnerable time to experiment with unusual substances.
The device acts as a catalyst for change and a source of mystery. The true nature of what is happening is much stranger than Dr. Mindfulness himself, with an AI-powered company distributing devices for a mysterious purpose. Infinite Summer is a thoughtful and surreal journey into self-acceptance and growth, no matter how strange or challenging.
The heart of Infinite Summer is Mia, the main character who anchors the film’s chaotic world. Teele Kaljuvee-O’Brock excels in portraying Mia’s uncertainty and personal struggles. Although the surreal sci-fi elements work well, Mia’s grounded moments are the most impactful.
Her warm interactions with her father, played by Ivo Uukkivi, and the dynamic with her friends Grete and Sisi (Sissi Nylia Benita) add depth to the story. Mia’s journey towards embracing her sexuality ties into a surprising finale, but these quieter moments are the most compelling.
The film uses the ‘meditation app’ concept effectively, exploring transformation and connection. Eleusis’ meditation program involves a surreal communal experience, but it has harmful effects on Grete and Sarah. When Mia tries it, the app rejects her. Eleusis suggests eternal connection and a never-ending summer, but Mia’s genuine connections with Sisi and Grete come in a more meaningful way.
Infinite Summer is not perfect. It leaves some questions unanswered and requires interpretation for deeper meanings. The surreal and occasionally horror-lite elements are interesting but don’t always fully convey the emotional weight of the characters’ changes. Despite this, the film presents a creative journey through self-discovery and adulthood.
Infinite Summer is a charming puzzle. Its visuals are pleasant, themes are deep, and plot devices are complex. The film is like the Mona Lisa: layered and mysterious with much beneath the surface. It requires analysis to understand its deeper meanings.
The connection between surreal plot elements and emotional impact is sometimes weak, but the journey is worthwhile. Mia’s story reflects those who take time to accept their true selves, with the film offering a unique coming-of-age tale for 2024. It premiered at the 2024 Fantasia International Film Festival.
