The Asphyx

Peter Newbrook, experienced camera operator and veteran director of photography, makes his sole directorial effort, delivering this intense and melancholic work that focuses on the age-old fear of death. It’s interesting to note that the entire debate is framed in a precise, rational context, reflected by Cunningham’s respect for the mandates of the experimental method. This means that even the investigation of a metaphysical element – which is what the asphyx is – assumes a scientific connotation.

This is the story of a scientist who gets carried away with insane research, becoming increasingly locked into his own egoistic positions while rejecting requests to share knowledge, and it quickly becomes a parable of personal perdition. Clouded by “Übermensch” philosophical perspectives (“Once immortal, one could govern the course of events perpetually“) and determined to challenge Divine Providence (‘Tempting Providence is the pastime of fools’ ‘… and the destiny of the great’), Cunningham ends up betraying his own ideals, not to mention the code of ethics of the order to which he belongs.

Consequently, the film (primarily through adopted son Giles’s voice of conscience) confronts the classic theme of ethical boundaries that would limit mankind’s actions with the threat of eternal damnation: (“This isn’t science, you’ve no right to experiment with this!“; “You have responsibilities, yes, but one of them requires you to know when to relinquish power“). In that regard, the character motivations and terminology seem to reflect a Christian worldview.

And so, morality, sin, suffering, and atonement are the main ingredients in this somber sci-fi horror drama with a Victorian setting reminiscent of the evocative and disturbing backdrops that characterize novels by authors of the caliber of Robert Louis Stevenson and Arthur Machen.

Technically well shot, “The Asphyx” also scores points with its accurate period reconstruction (excellent art direction) and refined photography rich in autumnal tones. A British Glendale Film production.