Another Day To Live Through – Thoughts

Another Day To Live Through, a brand new hauntingly powerful, psychological horror gets its UK digital release on 11th September 2023, courtesy of Reel 2 Reel Films.

Directed by Peter Simmons, in his feature debut, this captivating British/Finnish thriller unveils a world of harrowingly exquisite visuals, shrouded in enigma.

Satu (Lene Kqiku – Carcera), a Finnish ex-pat seeking solace after a terrible loss, returns to her homeland and there, meets Lauri (Timo Torikka – The Winter War), a semi-retired, bitter military contractor.

But nothing is what it seems as Satu and Lauri find themselves ensnared within a labyrinth of disconcerting, violent and bewildering recurring scenarios, where roles and identities shift in an isolated cabin with no obvious escape.

As time distorts, reality fractures and dangerous truths come to light, Satu must do all she can to break the cycle and escape the waking nightmare she is trapped in…

So, what’s it like?

Well. If I was a Mark Kermode, I’d probably be able to expertly dissect how this is a metaphysical exploration of the Matryoshka Principal. Giving an insight into the burgeoning of the male characters need to either see the female lead as a mother to look after them in their hour of need, or to be caged within her own mind and made to be the mother carrying the child.

But as I’m not, I’ll just say I was confused at the beginning, thought it was all going to be explained by the end, and then just as confused at the end.

Story of my life really.

Another Day To Live Through is beautifully shot, superbly directed slow paced psychological oddity. The British/Finnish nature of the production conjures thoughts of Midsommar.

The mind altering occasionally completely out of sync audio combining with striking, stationary camera positions really makes you feel like you’re losing your mind along with Satu. The use of the timeless video and TV in the cabin, with 1964’s Vincent Price classic The Last Man On Earth playing on loop hints, along with the Matryoshka Dolls and the Russian survival rations that Satu may be the last woman on earth, slowly losing her mind?

Or does the opening quote “Evil men don’t die easily. God doesn’t want them, the devil can wait” hint towards this being limbo (limbus patrum)? A never ending loop of Lauri’s sin against the matriarchal Satu. Hence the dolls.

I, despite myself, really enjoyed this film. From the opening stark imagery to the final frame, it genuinely gets under your skin and you want to know what’s going on. I just wish it had ended with a nice “Day 0” where we saw what happened in reality. I think it hinted to it, but I just needed it spoon fed to me.

It probably deserves a second viewing to see if I can work it out any better, but I’m pretty sure I never will.

Answers on a postcard please…

Another Day To Live Through is available on UK digital 11th of September 2023 from Reel 2 Reel Films

Watch the trailer below.