The fight for immortality descends into mayhem and murder in filmmaker Harley Wallen’s 2019 crime thriller Eternal Code. Six years after its release, the independent film still carries the same sense of urgency and impact today. This is especially true considering the current state of AI advancements that can foster divisiveness and capitalist greed. Through brutal action scenes and thought-provoking dialogue, Eternal Code begs the rhetorical question: Would you kill to live forever?

The Best Invention in the Wrong Hands Can Turn Into a Weapon

Bridget Pellegrini (Erika Hoveland) is the CEO of a genetic research company at the forefront of a huge breakthrough. Her team is celebrating the successful creation of a miracle device, Eternal Life Technology, which can transfer one’s mind to a new body. Aiming to extend the lifespan of the elite, this device will send stock prices soaring and put this company far ahead of any competition. However, when Bridget is approached to merge her company with another organization run by Oliver (Richard Tyson), she refuses. Not only is she hesitant about her device’s questionable moral and ethical codes, but she doesn’t appreciate Oliver’s intimidation tactics. Her refusal proves to be her downfall.

Watch the Eternal Code trailer here.

Not long after, she and her husband (Billy Wirth) are kidnapped by a masked group of strangers working on Oliver’s behalf. Luckily, Bridget’s teenage daughter Miranda (Angelina Danielle Cama) escapes the kidnapping unharmed. Desperate to save her parents, she leans on her new friend Corey (Damien Chinappi), a homeless man and former army veteran.

A Staggering Second Act Brings It All Together

The first act of Eternal Code has two main storylines running in tandem. The first is Bridget’s refusal to merge with Oliver and the repercussions of that decision. The second focuses on Corey’s background as a homeless veteran and his generosity toward everyone he surrounds himself with. For a while, it’s unclear how these two arcs will come together cohesively, but writer-director Harley Wallen does so in a staggering second act, which energetically ties the whole film together. Eternal Code features solid performances from its main cast, including Erika Hoveland, Damien Chinappi, and Angelina Danielle Cama. While it may not be blockbuster-level action, Eternal Code is quite impressive for an indie film with a limited production budget.

Takeaway

The quest for the Fountain of Youth is a never-ending journey. In Eternal Code, Harley Wallen shows just how far some people are willing to go to live forever.