Grounded Sci-fi Horror Capsules (2023) Makes a Little Buzz on its Comedown

Title: Capsules

First Non-Festival Release: March 31, 2023 (Digital/Streaming Platforms)

Director: Luke Momo

Writer: Davis Browne, Luke Momo

Runtime: 70 Minutes

Starring: Caroline Potter Shriver, Marcus Fahey, Kate Pittard, Davis Browne

Where to Watch: Check out where to find it here

With the bevy of pharmaceuticals at our fingertips at any given moment, there's something terrifying about not knowing what is in our bodies. While there are plenty of avenues to discuss the horrors of the greater medical system in this country, there's something chillingly intimate about the specific terror of taking an unknown drug.

That is where Capsules comes into play. While studying for a final exam, friends Dev (Caroline Potter Shriver), Ryan (Davis Browne), Maya (Kate Pittard), and Jasper (Marcus Fahey) decide to end their day long study session in favor of indulging in a potent strain of weed. After deciding the cannabis wasn't cutting it, the crew decide to experiment with a bottle of pills they found earlier that day left behind by a peculiar old man (David Dotterer). They realized their mistake once the after-effects of the drug kick in and find themselves reliant on the drug to stay alive.

Grounded sci-fi horror Capsules makes serviceable attempt at pharmaceutical based horror.

Starting off promisingly enough, Capsules makes its anti-drug pitch by congregating three mildly annoying stoners and their class curve setter in an unprompted smoke out study session. Its rough beginning is highlighted by an uncomfortable conversation between Maya and Ryan, where they interact in a way that obscures the fact that they are friends. As more of the cast is introduced, it's clear that this dynamic is true for most of them which makes it hard to believe they would be close enough for the events in the film to transpire. While the chain of events that kick off the ensuing drug binge aren't particularly realistic, it sets up a dynamic that allows for plenty of drama.

Choppy dialogue and aimless writing add unnecessary drag on the otherwise fine story. Part of what makes Capsules frustrating is the mumblecore approach to dialogue that yields mostly fluff in terms of character and story development. It might be realistic for these characters to curse and discuss odd things but oftentimes it fails to adequately add depth. Once the hapless students discover their mistake in ingesting the unknown drugs, the film loses its consistency and purpose. Their journey to finding answers that could potentially save their lives is predictable before fading into poor writing choices in the finale to wrap up the story.

Its shapeless characters are not helped by the writing either. There's an inherent level of hostility to every character in Capsules that feels unearned. It would be one thing if they were strangers that found each other with the same problem or the problem had been introduced at the beginning of the film, but that’s not the case. There's so much tension before the drugs are even consumed, but no actual problem is presented before that. The only element that is presented as any sort of challenge or obstacle is Ryan's desire but inability to ask out Dev. That doesn't make for a compelling story. Thankfully, this is eased once the effects of the drugs take place, but Capsules is filled with moments like this that don't quite add up in the end.

Despite all these criticisms it's still very clear that there is a unique vision to Capsules that makes it particularly captivating for genre enthusiasts. Indie films must be creative with the way they set up their productions to make up for their lack of funding. Capsules manages to craft a unique style that fits its lo-fi aesthetics while still capturing the vision it sets out to create. The effects of the drug aren't just described by its characters, it's felt by the audience. Intentional camera angles and clever use of color and lighting allows the true horror of the drugs to materialize on screen. I's creative approach to achieving its vision makes Capsules endearing and interesting.

Capsules shows its inspiration and greater point on its sleeves; it doesn't try to hide. While its writing leaves much to be desired in terms of plot and character development, there is something so real about its approach to body horror that makes it relatable. There’s enough flair to the indie film too to help it stand out amongst its contemporaries. It may not be addictive, but there’s enough kick to this drug to warrant a viewing if small-scale horror is your scene. 

Overall Score? 5/10