Universal
Leo (Joe Thomas) and Naomi (Rosa Robson) arrive at an isolated cabin for what they hope to be a romantic getaway in writer-director Stephen Portland’s Universal. Not long after settling in, they’re interrupted by Ricky (Kelley Mack), an online acquaintance of Leo’s, who appears on their doorstep unannounced. She’s excited to show him a breakthrough she’s found in his research on genetics that could potentially change everything. Although he’s initially sceptical, Leo decides to hear her out, only to discover that she just might be on to something huge. As the three characters uncover more about what this find could mean, Portland touches upon grand existential questions. Although this indie flick is full of charm, it stumbles in a few areas to fall short of its ambitious themes.
The three stars work wonderfully together. Thomas is excellent as the awkward but endearing Leo and shares a strong chemistry with Robson on screen. Mack likewise gives a compelling performance as Ricky, whose peculiar quirks and mysterious background make her somewhat of an enigma. The contrasting personalities effectively bounce off each other as they begin to dive into their findings. The bulk of the comedy comes from quick-witted exchanges and light-hearted interactions between the trio. However, a prolonged toilet humour gag and an uncomfortable moment of nudity don’t fit with the rest of the feature’s tone and feel jarring as a result.
The core of the script is rooted in a series of deep conversations between the characters. From a nihilistic discussion of capitalism to humanity’s self-destructive nature, Portland is unafraid to tackle heavy issues head-on. While a large part of the dialogue is centred on academic concepts, the script does a solid job of explaining the main ideas in digestible chunks. However, the rushed nature of the plot means that there’s insufficient time given to explore any of the questions that are raised fully.
A surprise dramatic twist attempts to inject some suspense into the final act, but its abrupt resolution renders it anticlimactic. Despite its handful of missteps along the way, a collection of impressive performances from its leads and a thoughtful approach to its themes ends Universal on a surprisingly poignant and bittersweet note.
Andrew Murray
Universal is released digitally on 5th December 2025.
Watch the trailer for Universal here:
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