This film is a great example of why –despite all their flaws, and there are many, many flaws- major studio releases are generally still preferable to intriguing indies. The reason is with so much money poured into the investment, I guarantee at least one semi-important person will pour over the storyboards and question: “Are you sure that’s the ending you want?”
And while Hollywood would likely come up with something feel-good, inane, and in-its-own-way equally as disappointing, I could leave the film thinking about the wonderful premise and not the crappy ending.
Radius has a wonderful premise. This is a “Whoa!” sit-up-and-take notice opening. It took ninety-three minutes to flush that good will away, but I don’t deny it existed at one time.
Liam (Diego Klattenhoff) wakes up from a car accident without any memories. That’s not the worst of his problems. He flags down a car for help … and the driver dies on the spot. He walks to a café for help. The patrons all die when he enters. He realizes in short order that he has a death Radius — and it’s not just humans. Whenever any living thing comes within, I dunno, 30 (?) feet or so, it ceases living. The film is like a live action Pepé Le Pew cartoon. Liam walks in, and the whole place just wilts. That might give me a complex.
After Liam finds his home (his wallet provides some clues), he tries hiding out in the shed 
to avoid accidental homicide. Against Liam’s helpless pleas to be left alone for her own good, a woman, Jane (Charlotte Sullivan), tracks him down to the shed. She doesn’t die. Oh. Furthermore, other people start not dying, too. Is Liam cured? That was fast.
All right. I will spoil no more from here. And it’s a shame that the premise is a spoiler, because only one good plot point comes after what I’ve described and the rest is junk.
I really wanted Radius to capture victory here. I mean, it really was a fascinating premise. I’m not sure what I was hoping for exactly … Angel Heart, maybe? I mean, it’s been done, but an Angel Heart ending would have been superior. And it should be pointed out that Radius did not go with the worst ending it could have; what it did was present a denouement and conclusion that didn’t violate the premise, but instead made me question why the premise was so important. To some, this will means the movie was relatively successful. To me, this means you got me thinking about why the movie failed instead of why it should have succeeded … which is just about the worst thing a film can do.
A man finds accidental power discrete
To turn all he encounters into dead meat
Don’t shun your community
It’s a golden opportunity
To get a good table or box seat
Not Rated, 93 Minutes
Director: Caroline Labrèche, Steeve Léonard
Writer: Caroline Labrèche, Steeve Léonard
Genre: WTF?
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: People who skip out early
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: Those not into mysteries
