_Beyond the Black Rainbow_ presents itself as a homage to classic science fiction from the 1970s, but it soon becomes apparent that it's more of a copy than something original. Rather than capturing what made films like _THX 1138_, _Dark Star_, _Silent Running_, or _Solaris_ so impactful, it seems to borrow complete stylistic components without grasping the reasons those movies connected with audiences. Despite its strong visual style reminiscent of the early 1980s—including CRT distortion, impersonal hallways, and a prominent synthesizer soundtrack—the film provides little beyond surface-level imitation. One scene abruptly shifts from old footage of Ronald Reagan to an item labeled “Noriega,” which feels like a forced reference to the Panamanian dictator who was famously ousted by a sonic attack from Van Halen. If this movie had been playing instead, he probably would have given up within 24 hours—not because he was beaten, but simply out of annoyance. Each segment abruptly ends with a fade to black, as if searching for significance that never appears. The characters feel underdeveloped, delivering strange and unnatural lines intended to imply complexity but lacking substance. The dialogue isn’t just poor; it's devoid of meaning. There is no discernible plot, no emotional center, and ultimately no purpose beyond the superficial visuals. What remains is an art project disguised as a movie: shallow, pointless, and affected.

Source on TMDB