The Wheel of Heaven (full review)

I hold a strong appreciation for original films that take bold risks and present innovative concepts. Such stories are rare in today’s repetitive movie formats. I absolutely adore anthology movies, they’re my jam! Recently, I had the privilege of witnessing a film that skillfully combines anthology filmmaking with various techniques, including found footage, animation, and documentary. This unique approach is exemplified in “The Wheel of Heaven,” directed by Joe Baden.“The Wheel of Heaven” is self-aware of its cinematic nature and transports its audience on a psychedelic journey through the bizarre and obscure. While some scenes may lack logical coherence, they are intentionally crafted to create a dreamlike atmosphere. The film’s randomness and intentionality intertwine, resulting in a unique and unforgettable experience. Critics have described “The Wheel of Heaven” as a fever dream, and this description accurately captures its essence. It stands out as one of the most intriguing films released this year.

The primary strength of “The Wheel of Heaven” lies in its innovative storytelling. With a captivating and unsettling prologue, it introduces us with chapters of choose your own adventures. The film transports viewers to a completely different realm. While it frequently presents random scenarios and chaotic narratives, this is not different to the unpredictability of life. We experience a multitude of experiences, both positive and negative. This movie effectively portrays the chaos inherent in the world, highlighting the constant struggle to maintain sanity and purity. The underlying themes of the film are truly remarkable when examined closely. It is worth noting that the movie embraces its eccentricity fully. As explained in the prologue, it can be like you are flipping through various tv channels, encountering a diverse array of content. Imagine blending every genre and type of story imaginable, and you will have a glimpse into “The Wheel of Heaven.”

“The Wheel of Heaven” is also super well crafted in its originality. The editing is incredible and so unique. The storytelling being in chapters creates a boundary for the chaos. It truly seemed like they had an absolute blast stitching everything together in the edit. The movie even implements behind-the-scenes moments breaking the fourth wall, which is something I absolutely love. It’s always cool to see how a movie is filmed and directed. We get a look behind the curtain at moments, which felt so refreshing to see. From seeing the gaffer to full-on direction conversations, the movie played in perfectly with itself. The self-awareness was inserted carefully and was part of the story. Kali Russell, who plays multiple characters, also did an incredible job in all of her roles in the movie. The score transports you, and the camera takes you on a ride. The craftsmanship and team effort can easily be spotted here. They cared about the story they were telling and how it was crafted.

Overall, “The Wheel of Heaven” is one of those movies where you have to see it to believe it. A fever dream of madness that takes you to new levels of storytelling. It’s terrifying, funny, and action-packed. Seeing all the creative risks made me so happy. It felt like scrolling through a dark and twisted page on TikTok. Scrolling through madness, trying to make sense of it. Choosing your own adventure in life, but also knowing that there are some things you can’t control. This movie won’t be for everyone, but it worked well for me. There is something to be treasured by a movie like this. I applaud the team behind this movie and can’t wait to see what they are able to do next. If you are looking for a wild ride, look no further.

Rating: 73/100