The Lazarus Effect is a film I never got around to watching when it was released in 2015 so seeing it eleven years later certainly makes for an interesting experience. Directed by David Gelb, best known for the documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi, the film tries to blend scientific experimentation with supernatural horror. Unfortunately, it spends far too much time explaining the science behind its premise and not nearly enough time making any of it frightening. There is an interesting concept buried underneath all the exposition, but the movie seems more concerned with explaining how everything works than actually scaring its audience.
Olivia Wilde, known for Tron: Legacy and House, is probably the film's biggest asset, though not necessarily because of her acting. She has a screen presence that keeps the movie interesting whenever she is around, and the direction wisely seems to understand that she is more effective on screen than some of her costars. Unfortunately, the film does not do enough with her beyond making her central to its supernatural premise.
Mark Duplass, known for The League and The Morning Show, is aggressively overacting throughout the film. His performance is so exaggerated that it repeatedly pulls you out of the story. Thankfully, the direction seems smart enough not to focus on him too much when Wilde is around, but every time Duplass gets a chance to take center stage, he threatens to derail the scene. It is difficult to take the movie seriously when one of its main actors seems to be performing in an entirely different film.
Donald Glover, best known for Community and Atlanta, is another example of a performer who deserved more screen time. He is clearly a diamond in the rough here, showing flashes of the charisma that would eventually make him a much bigger name. Unfortunately, the film barely takes advantage of what he brings to the table. It is frustrating to see a young performer with that much potential stuck in a role that does not give him enough to do.
Evan Peters, known for American Horror Story and the X-Men films, is also in the movie, and even at this early stage in his career, he shows the charisma that would lead him to better things. He has a natural screen presence that works well for the material, even if the script does not give him much opportunity to stand out. It is another performance that makes you wonder what the movie could have been with a stronger screenplay.
Sarah Bolger, known for The Tudors and Once Upon a Time, is another performer who deserves more credit than the movie gives her. She is not half bad here, and it is a shame her career never quite took off the way it might have. She does what she can with the material, but the film gives her very little opportunity to make a lasting impression.
The Lazarus Effect has a decent premise and a cast that shows plenty of potential, but it never figures out how to turn those ingredients into an effective horror movie. The scares are weak, the exposition is excessive, and the scientific jargon quickly becomes tedious when the audience would rather see something genuinely frightening happen. Olivia Wilde remains the film's biggest draw, while Mark Duplass does it no favors with his overacting. Watching it eleven years after its release did not uncover a hidden horror gem. It simply revealed a movie with an interesting idea that never quite knows what to do with it. Result: C+
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