VOIDANCE (2026)

3 stars

Elli Films, in association with Mind Engagement Productions and Unfolding Entertainment. Digital. 26th May

The oddly titled VOIDANCE is Brit sci fi that tries its hardest to cover for the obvious lack of production funds.

Alana (Zoe Cunningham) is an agent for some kind of intergalactic anti-terror organisation called ATIC. Sitting in a fairly empty room – there’s that lack of budget for you – she is greeted by the holographic Agent Polo (James Cosmo in what amounts to nowt more than a cameo). She is to be sent on one final assignment before she becomes a full fledged agent – not being rude to the actress playing Alana, but one must surmise that either the training was many, many years long or this is a late in the day career change.

She is to investigate and try to prevent a terrorist attack and ends up at The Forge – a bar peopled by various miscreants. The place is dressed up to appear interesting but looks a bit like a theatre production with tables and chairs from a school canteen. No matter, as it all just a simulation. Each time she is unsuccessful in her investigation, the scenario resets – which given the amount of times it loops around, you would think she would be an immediate fail in this final exam!

Ultimately this ends up as a kind of Agatha Christie murder mystery, as several folk in the establishment end up mudered – this being a British production it even has the appropriate accents! Much of the dialogue is clunky and delivered with varying success by the cast and much of it is unconvincing. The plot contrivance of the capability to reboot, becomes, inevitably, repetitious.