{The Overlook Film Festival 2025} Redux Redux (2025)

Written and Directed by the McManus Brothers – the genius minds behind American Vandal – Redux Redux is a genre-bending, emotionally ferocious film that blends sci-fi thrills with raw human drama. This isn’t just another multiverse movie (in fact the directors/brothers mentioned they were into the multiverse long before it became cool; Redux Redux is a visceral exploration of grief, parental terror, and the desperate lengths a mother will go to for vengeance.

With razor-sharp dialogue, unforgettable performances, and a lo-fi aesthetic that keeps it grounded, Redux Redux is poised to be one of the most talked-about indie films of the year.

A Mother’s Descent Through the Multiverse

The premise is as gripping as it is heartbreaking: Irene (Michaela McManus), a shattered mother, discovers the existence of the multiverse and embarks on a mission to hunt down every single version of the man (Jeremy Holm) who killed her daughter. But here’s the twist—each reality forces her to confront not just different versions of the killer, but the choices she contiues to make to try and satiate her vengeance.

This isn’t Everything Everywhere All At Once’s whimsical chaos—Redux Redux is darker, angrier, and more relentless. It’s a film about the impossibility of true justice, the futility of revenge, and the suffocating spiral of grief. But also the quiet and often sweet conclusion of accepting who we have become as a result of the trauma we go through.

The McManus Brothers’ Signature Teenage Brilliance

If there’s one thing the McManus brothers understand better than almost any filmmakers working today, it’s how to write teenagers. Mia (Stella Marcus), isn’t just a plot device—she’s a fully realized, whip-smart, deeply human character. The dialogue crackles with authenticity, avoiding the tired tropes of sullen, eye-rolling teens or manic pixie dream girls.

Mia has agency. She’s funny, flawed, and so real that you forget she’s a character in a sci-fi film. The McManus brothers have always excelled at making young people feel like people, not stereotypes, and Redux Redux is their best work yet.

A Lo-Fi Sci-Fi Aesthetic That Pulls You In

One of the film’s biggest strengths is its aesthetic. Instead of drowning in CGI spectacle, Redux Redux keeps its sci-fi elements tactile and intimate. The multiverse isn’t a neon-drenched fractal wonderland—it’s eerie, unstable, and deeply unsettling. The lo-fi approach makes the film feel more like a psychological thriller than a traditional sci-fi flick, which means even audiences who don’t typically vibe with the genre will find themselves hooked.

A Stellar Cast Bringing the Pain

Michaela McManus delivers a stand out performance as Irene, balancing ferocity with devastating vulnerability. You feel every ounce of her rage, her despair, her helplessness. And Jeremy Holm? Jesus. He’s terrifying. His killer isn’t a mustache-twirling villain—he’s chillingly ordinary, which makes him even more monstrous.

But the real standout is Stella Marcus as Mia. She’s magnetic, effortlessly natural, and the emotional core of the film. The mother-daughter (even though she isn’t really) dynamic is heartbreaking in its authenticity, making Irene’s quest feel all the more urgent.

A Film About Grief, Anxiety, and the Illusion of Control

At its core, Redux Redux is about the unbearable weight of loss—and the even more unbearable realization that, as a parent, you can’t always protect your child. The multiverse becomes a metaphor for the endless “what ifs” that haunt anyone who has experienced tragedy or simply worries about their children when they miss curfew. What if I had been there? What if I had done something differently? What if there’s a universe where this didn’t happen?

Irene’s journey isn’t just about revenge—it’s about control. She’s trying to rewrite reality itself because the real world failed her. That’s a feeling any parent (or anyone who’s loved deeply) will recognize.

Final Verdict: A Must-Watch Indie Gem

Redux Redux is a rare film that balances high-concept sci-fi with deeply personal storytelling. The McManus brothers have crafted something special—a movie that’s as emotionally devastating as it is thrilling, with dialogue that crackles and performances that will stick with you long after the credits roll.

If you love smart, character-driven sci-fi (or just great filmmaking in general), Redux Redux needs to be on your radar. No release date yet, but trust us—this is one you’ll want to watch the second it drops.

Why You’ll Love Redux Redux

✔ Unforgettable performances – Michaela McManus and Stella Marcus are phenomenal.
✔ Teenage characters written right – No cringe, just real, layered humans.
✔ Sci-fi without the pretension – Accessible, lo-fi, and deeply emotional.
✔ Jeremy Holm as your new nightmare fuel – Seriously, this guy is chilling.
✔ A heartbreaking exploration of grief – It’s gonna wreck you (in the best way).

I caught it at The Overlook Film Festival which continues to be one of the leaders when it comes to genre film festivals.