NATURAL SELECTION

Cinemavixion Review

Chad L. Scheifele's 2016 film 'Natural Selection' delves into the unsettling world of high school alienation and the insidious nature of influence. Starring Mason Dye as Tyler Evans, the new kid struggling with both a difficult home life and the social minefield of adolescence, the film presents a compelling, albeit dark, narrative. Tyler's isolation is compounded by the arrival of Indrid, a peer with a 'dark, infectious outlook' that promises an escape but hints at a more sinister path. The external data corroborates this, detailing Tyler's absentee mother and absent father, further contextualizing his vulnerability. While the film garnered a modest 5.1 rating on IMDb, its exploration of psychological torment and the search for belonging, especially within the context of a coming-of-age story, offers a thought-provoking, if grim, viewing experience. The inclusion of veteran actor Anthony Michael Hall adds a layer of gravitas to the ensemble cast.