SUM OF EXISTENCE

Cinemavixion Review

Jon Cohen's "Sum of Existence" plunges into the harrowing aftermath of trauma, exploring the fragile boundary between forgetting and remembering. Brooke Anderson delivers a compelling performance as Liz, a young woman subjected to a brutal assault, only to be subjected to a hypnotic therapy designed to erase the event. The film skillfully navigates the psychological complexities of this imposed amnesia, questioning the ethics of suppressing painful memories. As Liz's attacker, Josh Picker, escalates his campaign of terror, the narrative builds a palpable sense of dread. Simone Kessell, as Liz's concerned mother, and the supporting cast effectively portray the ripple effects of trauma on family and relationships. While the film's pacing occasionally falters, its unflinching examination of victimhood and the lengths one might go to achieve peace, even a manufactured one, makes "Sum of Existence" a thought-provoking, albeit disturbing, watch.