by Joseph Perry and Mike Imboden
In our “The Good, the Bad, and the Verdict” film reviews, Joseph and Mike give their thoughts on a slice of cinema. For this installment, it’s Stephen Portland’s sci-fi/comedy Universal.
Synopsis
A couple of academics enjoying a romantic break in a remote log cabin find their stay interrupted by someone who has tracked them down, seeking their help with what could be the biggest discovery in history . . .
The Good
Joseph: My initial interest for checking out Universal was Joe Thomas, who was one of the leads in the British comedy series "The Inbetweeners", which I love. He’s great here as the pensive Leo who is questioning his place in life and career, and has fine chemistry with the equally impressive other two stars, Rosa Robson as Leo’s wise girlfriend Naomi — the pair are academics from the U.K. who are currently at a U.S. university — and Kelley Mack as Ricky, a socially awkward (to put it mildly) attendee of the university who interrupts the couple’s romantic weekend espousing a wild theory that becomes the focus of the rest of the weekend as well as the plot.
Existential musings and scientific theories are at the forefront, but relationships between people are at the heart of writer/director Stephen Portland’s thoughtful, amusing feature. Universal is driven by dialogue rather than action and special effects. There’s plenty to sift through and chew on.
Mike: Universal shines in its ambition and the chemistry between its lead actors. Their interplay is intelligent, witty, and they feel like actual living people, providing a strong emotional anchor amidst the film's more philosophical meanderings. Mack, especially, delivers an entertaining performance as Ricky, the socially awkward code-breaker whose findings disrupt the couple's romantic getaway. Portland's direction, despite the indie budget, is admirable, and he crafts a compelling story that blends some rom-com elements with speculative sci-fi and armchair philosophy. When the film leans into its intellectual curiosity and the interplay between its characters, it sparks with an undeniable energy.
The Bad
Joseph: The scientific theories are pretty heavy, and during the first act when they are initially discussed, I was wondering why the film is touted as a science fiction comedy because there wasn’t much humor, in my estimation. This might turn off potential viewers who — like me, admittedly — prefer their science in sci-fi films to be more easily digestible. Thankfully, the laughs do kick in around the 30-minute mark, so hang in there, true believers.
Mike: Universal often stumbles under the weight of its own exposition. The dialogue, while witty and energetic, at times feels less like natural conversation and more like actors delivering a well-rehearsed exposition. The film sometimes mistakes "intellectual" for "interesting," leading to moments where the philosophical discussions don't always translate into engaging cinematic moments.
The Verdict
Joseph: Portland pulls off something of a magic trick with Universal. A three-hander, (mostly) single-location feature with the characters mostly sitting around talking, often about DNA, might not sound like the most engaging of films, but thanks to a fine cast breathing authentic life into their interesting characters, assured writing and direction, and some surprises along the way, the film is ultimately an entertaining, charming watch.
Mike: Universal is an imperfect yet undeniably entertaining film. It's a testament to indie filmmaking's ability to tackle colossal ideas with minimal resources, and for that alone, it deserves recognition. While the execution is occasionally clunky, particularly in its more verbose moments and awkward attempts at levity, the performances and its premise elevate it beyond its flaws.
Universal
Directed By: Stephen Portland
Written By: Stephen Portland
Starring: Joe Thomas, Kelley Mack, Rosa Robson
Run Time: 1h 30m
Rating: NR
Release Date: June 21, 2025 (United States)
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