Past Life (2025) Review
Past Life (2025) Review
Step into the shadowy corridors of dark and chilling new psychological thriller Past Life, directed by Grimmfest’s Simeon Halligan, that boasts an all-star cast including Aneurin Barnard (Peaky Blinders, Dunkirk, Time), Jeremy Piven (Mr Selfridge, Entourage), pop sensation Pixie Lott (Fred: The Movie, Christmas Karma), Nicholas Farrell (The Iron Lady, The Count of Monte Cristo, Bodies) and Tim McInnerny (Game of Thrones, Harlots, Gladiator II, Blackadder).
Past Life pulls us headlong into the life of renowned war reporter Jason (Barnard), scarred by his years covering conflict in the Middle East, although he attempts to live as normal a life, he is still damaged by the horrors he’s experienced. When his wife, Claira (Lott), suggests an evening of fun at a late-night show, Jason reluctantly obliges. Once there, he dismisses hypnosis as a con – that is until famous hypnotist Tim (Piven), who claims he can send you into visions of a past life, snaps his fingers and Jason experiences the world through the eyes of a 1980s serial killer.
Plagued by vivid memories of extreme violence he can’t explain, Jason struggles to distinguish his own memories from something far more disturbing. Deeply concerned, Claira urges him to see the hypnotist again, hoping another session will erase the increasingly realistic visions. Instead, the session exposes even more horrifying details, leaving Jason anxious, unbalanced and dangerously obsessed.
With the help of retired journalist Elliot Reed (Farrell), and further hypnosis sessions to find clues, the trail leads to a man seemingly connected to the victims, but who is he and how does he fit with the crimes? As Jason’s grip on reality falters and Claira starts to fear his PTSD will trigger a breakdown, the investigation takes a deadly turn when a new victim is murdered. Realising a killer has been reawakened, Jason must use hypnosis to uncover the truth and protect those closest to him.
Past Life is a film that thrives on misdirection. What initially presents itself as a fairly standard slasher quickly reveals a more layered and deceptively constructed narrative, one that keeps the audience engaged through a steady stream of plot twists and well-placed red herrings. While it never quite escapes the confines of its genre, it proves itself to be far more entertaining—and occasionally more thoughtful—than first impressions might suggest.
Set and shot in Manchester, the film makes effective use of its urban backdrop, even indulging in a touch of tongue-in-cheek humour with details like “Mangle Street,” a nod that hints at the film’s awareness of its own pulpy sensibilities. There’s a distinct stylistic influence at play, most notably recalling Eyes of Laura Mars. Like that earlier film, Past Life embraces a glossy, voyeuristic aesthetic, complete with prowler-style POV shots and a black-gloved killer that evokes the traditions of Italian giallo cinema.
Visually, the film feels like a throwback to the slick thrillers of the late 1980s and early 1990s, favouring style and atmosphere over deep characterisation. This is perhaps where the film stumbles slightly. The central protagonist, who persistently ignores sound advice and makes frustratingly poor decisions, can test the viewer’s patience. However, this trait also serves to heighten tension and, at times, reinforces the film’s knowingly heightened tone.
The narrative’s strength lies in its ability to wrong-foot the audience. What seems obvious early on gradually becomes more ambiguous, and the film demonstrates a surprising willingness to play with expectations. Though the characters remain largely one-dimensional and the film never fully transcends its genre limitations, it succeeds in delivering exactly what it promises: a stylish, fast-paced, and thoroughly entertaining slice of slasher cinema.
Ultimately, Past Life is best appreciated not for its depth, but for its craft within familiar boundaries. It is glossy, pulpy, and unapologetically trashy—yet undeniably fun.
Limited theatrical release 20 March 2026
On digital 6 April 2026 from Miracle Media
TRAILER
Past Life had its world première at Grimmest, 9th Oct 2025
