#SXSW: “SLIP” REVIEW

By Mr. Will Wong

The world is obsessed with Multiverses and we’re here for it. Not unlike EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, SLIP explores what could’ve been in a parallel universe. Zoe Lister-Jones creates, directs and stars in this Dramedy series as Mae Cannon, who is living content and comfortable with her husband Elijah (Whitmer Thomas) and a job in the Art world. But it isn’t enough and she longs for more. Her relationship is void of passion, and she makes an interesting observation then after some time in relationship, you’re single again but together.

She then finds herself meeting a mysterious stranger in Eric (Amar Chadha-Patel) at a bar and we see a different version of her and traces of who she might’ve been in the past. Is this really happening? And how does she get back to her normal life again with Elijah?

Lister-Jones aims high wearing multiple caps here, but is successful drawing us right into this world where everything feels intimate and we’d want to invest more time getting to know Mae and what lessons she learns and the people she meets in the situations ahead. Did we mention Dakota Johnson produced this Toronto-filmed Series as well?

All eight episodes of SLIP will be arriving on The Roku Channel and it screens at SXSW ’23 as follows:

Slip at Stateside Theatre

Mar 16, 2023

5:45pm—7:06pm

#SUNDANCE: “HOW IT ENDS”

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

On the day an asteroid is set to obliterate the world, Liza (Zoe Lister-Jones) decides to head to a friend’s end of the world party. But before she gets there, she intends to right her regrets. With her metaphysical younger self (Cailee Spaeny) beside her, the two walk around the deserted LA Hills. Along the way, they run into strangers and friends seeing how they’re spending their last living day.

How It Ends has a funny premise and ample amounts of comedian cameos, such as Fred Armisen, Charlie Day, Nick Kroll and more. One of the greatest scenes involves Lister-Zones visiting her ‘psychic’ friend, played by Olivia Wilde. The two talk over one another in their attempt to make amends. Lister-Jones and Wilde have perfect comedic timing together and are delight to watch. However, this dramedy steers more often into drama territory rather than comedy. In these cameos there are laughs to be had. But when we are back in the central storyline there are dramatic topics discussed. 

Particularly the main lesson which is learning to love yourself. This beautiful message is touchingly brought to the forefront with the sweet performances from Lister-Jones and Spaeny. The two have amazing chemistry that perfectly resembles the intimate, frustrating and funny understanding we have with ourselves. It’s Spaeny who’s the true scene-stealer as the younger, free-spirited Liza who encourages her adult-version to love and care for herself.

How It Ends is at its best while walking around the streets of LA and randomly running into strangers and friends. We witness how everyone’s idea of a perfect last day is different. Some want to do drugs, others clean and garden, some seek retribution and others perform their craft. The one thing never experimented with is the complete fear of knowing today is the day they’re going to die. Each character is in a state of calm because they knew and planned for this. But it might’ve been funny to see someone losing their minds.

Overall, How It Ends is loaded with comedic cameos and has charming performances from its co-leads.

How It Ends screens at Sundance:

Live Premiere: January 29 at 6 PM (EST)

On-Demand (available for 24 hours): January 31 at 10 AM (EST)