In 2019, Reacher star Alan Ritchson appeared in a little-known romantic fantasy movie that is quite good. The film Above the Shadows didn’t receive much fanfare and was almost invisible in theaters. This is a shame, because the sweet and delicate romance is an absolute delight. Overlooked by audiences, Above the Shadows may now find a second life through streaming.
Above the Shadows stars Olivia Thirlby as Holly, a grieving young woman who finds herself lost to the world. Not just figuratively, Holly has become physically invisible to everyone around her — her family, teachers, and boss — since the death of her mother. Even the celebrities she spies on in her job as a paparazzo can’t see her as she captures them in their scandalous outings.
When her path crosses with former MMA fighter Shayne Blackwell (played by Alan Ritchson), Holly is surprised that he is the only person in the world who can see her. Shortly after, she discovers their connection: her paparazzi past had derailed Shayne’s career. Armed with hope, Holly plans to fix Shayne’s life, hoping that atoning for the sins of her past will finally give her a future.
‘Above the Shadows’ Shows a Simple and Sweet Romance
Above the Shadows is a relatively straightforward film, but in the best way possible. The film doesn’t get bogged down by unnecessary side plots and exaggerated fancies. It is a stark and refreshing story about two broken people who manage to find themselves and each other. But rather than falling into the trap of ‘love heals all,’ Shayne and Holly’s journeys aren’t overshadowed by their romance. Thirlby and Ritchson give wonderful performances, and the chemistry between their characters cannot be denied.
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Though the movie is a fantasy, Holly’s invisibility feels grounded. The film doesn’t treat it as a joke or even a bit of magic; it is treated as reality. The dedication to this reality adds a trippy feel to the film, with the idea of the world folding around to hide her. This was a clever move from the director as an inside look at Holly’s grief. Despite dealing with such expansive themes as grief, Above the Shadows is a delicate film that balances love, brokenness, and healing. None of these aspects are focused on gratuitously, which keeps the movie from dragging when, at some points, it might well have.
Where To Watch ‘Above the Shadows’
Above the Shadows is available for free via several streaming services, including Pluto TV, Plex, and Tubi. Such open availability allows viewers to experience what is a worthwhile journey. This is a far cry from its earliest showings. After premiering at the Brooklyn Film Festival, Above the Shadows received little fanfare. The film was released in limited theaters. Its widest release was to 38 theaters in Turkey, where the film made just over $1,200 in total ticket sales on its opening weekend. Clearly, the primary release strategy was video-on-demand, which debuted on July 19, 2019.
The film has a 70% critic rating and a 65% audience score on the movie aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. And with almost 1,000 reviews, the film has 4.5 out of 5 stars from viewers on Amazon. The film is rated TV-14 due to mild violence, gore, and brief profanity. Although the film contains some violence and action, these elements serve the story and are not gratuitous.
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Above the Shadows also stars Jim Gaffigan in a subdued role as Holly’s father. Megan Fox makes an appearance as Shayne’s ex-girlfriend Juliana. The cast also includes Maria Dizzia (Going In Style), David Johansen (Scrooged), Owen Campbell (Boardwalk Empire), and Pawel Szajda (For All Mankind). Professional MMA fighter Tito Ortiz also has a notable appearance.
Although viewers may have missed out on this one when it first premiered, Above the Shadows is an enchanting film that is well worth watching. With its grounded fantasy elements, the journey of Holly and Shayne is a sweet, timeless story about love and healing. The film may have been overlooked, but the quiet quality and charm make Above the Shadows worth a second look.
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
