The Protos Experiment (2025)

In a dystopian future, death row inmates are used like lab rats by a private company who use memory implants to revolutionise the correctional system. Two prisoners who become subject to the experiment must escape or risk losing their minds forever.

The Protos Experiment is an ambitious independent feature film that recently screened at various film festivals including Another Hole In The Head and Horror-On-Sea. It’s clear directors Brian Avenet-Bradley, Laurence Avenet-Bradley garnered influences from successful franchises when embarking on this production. When mixed with their own ideas, the film makes for an interesting premise.

The majority of characters are presumed to be death row inmates unwillingly enrolled in a medical trial in exchange for a life sentence in prison. From the opening scenes it’s clear they have no recollection of their former lives or how they ended up in this situation, and I feel had a backstory been provided, these characters could have been stronger and we as an audience may have felt a connection.

The narrative was overrun by a confusing structure. With multiple cutaways and changes in scene, it was sometimes hard to determine what was happening. Although not ideal, it’s clear there are some great themes at play and with a little editing they could be more effective.

Visually the production team do well to achieve effective set pieces with limited budget and resources. When you add high energy sequences and some strong moments of performance, it highlights what can work well with independent cinema.

Overall, this is a wild premise with a good dystopian feel. It has all the makings of a great film with some finetuning and strict editing.