Two strangers go on a road trip to participate in an afterlife study in Next Exit. Dr. Stevenson (Karen Gillan) of the Life Beyond Institute has made a breakthrough proving that ghosts exist and can be scientifically observed, though this discovery has resulted in an increase in the number of murders and suicides. Rose (Katie Parker) and Teddy (Rahul Kohli) are two strangers chosen to participate in Dr. Stevenson's study, who end up being forced to travel with each other to San Francisco, due to them having to share a rental car. Along the way, they meet up with various individuals that leave them questioning whether life after death is the better way.
Next Exit is the feature film debut for writer/director Mali Elfman, daughter of composer Danny Elfman, and producer of films such as Mike Flanagan‘s Before I Wake and Marianna Palka‘s Bitch. The film stars Katie Parker (The Haunting of Hill House) and Rahul Kohli (Midnight Mass) as two strangers, both of whom are haunted by their own personal demons. Rose in particular finds herself literally being pursued by a darkness and she believes that death is her only escape, with participation in Dr. Stevenson's afterlife study being the easiest way to achieve this.
Next Exit is a film that can be best described as a darkly comic road movie with some flourishes of supernatural horror. Much of the film tackles the ethical repercussions of finding out that death isn't truly the end, with the afterlife researcher Dr. Stevenson, played by a stunt-casted Karen Gillan (Doctor Who, Guardians of the Galaxy, Oculus), being criticized for playing God and praying on the vulnerable. Overall, Next Exit ends up being an interesting character study.
Trailer for Next Exit – Fantasia 2022
