Fringe Fiction did watch some movies this sunny but chilly day in Philadelphia. We watched The Substance, Heretic and Companion. All three are worth a watch, and all three lean on the artistic side of movies. Sophie Thatcher plays significant roles in the latter two — Heretic and Companion.

The Substance touches on a variety of topics including vanity, the modeling industry, body dysmorphia and other issues. The primary focus is on the modeling industry and the impact it has on women in general, and most of it is highly impactful and highly harmful. For most of the movie, it is quite direct about body dysmorphia and its implications and impacts on women. Overall, this movie is worth several watches but should be careful around those with those issues and younger women (and perhaps some men as well). The finale and subsequent part are worth the watch. Fringe Fiction won’t spoil it for you here.

Heretic is an intriguing movie indeed on its own. The movie questions your own beliefs and whether the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints actually hold merit in modern times. What begins as a questioning of one’s faith transforms into the questioning of one’s reality and the impact of religion or any spiritualism has on it. Sophie Thatcher may be one of the protagonists in this movie, but Chloe East may have played the role slightly better. However, Hugh Grant with his subtlety stole the show throughout the movie. This is worth a watch, but it may not appeal to everyone.

Companion is an intriguing take on the future of artificial intelligence. It’s not the dark side of M3gan but it does ask how much of a jerk does it take to break someone or something like artificial intelligence. Sophie Thatcher answers this question in her part, but in Fringe Fiction’s opinion, Lukas Gage plays his role as Patrick better. His role played some tribute to Terminator 2: Judgment Day, but Fringe Fiction won’t spoil it here. Overall, this movie is worth a watch. Artificial intelligence may be the future, and this movie in its own way may give its own perspective.

What movie did you watch this weekend? Do you have any recommendations? Please feel free to comment below.

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