Ryan Wilson’s 'Rubiks' is an evocative experimental short film that transforms the iconic Rubik’s Cube into a profound metaphor for the complexities of mental health. With a delicate yet gripping visual language, the film immerses viewers in an introspective journey, where the mind becomes a maze of shifting patterns, contradictions, and revelations.
Wilson establishes a hypnotic rhythm from the opening frames, mirroring the ceaseless motion of a Rubik’s Cube in the hands of an unnamed protagonist. The film’s abstract yet profoundly personal narrative conveys the feeling of entrapment within the intricate geometry of one’s psyche. Every twist and turn of the cube goes further into the labyrinth of thought—each rotation representing confusion, despair, and uncertainty. Yet, paradoxically, every move also reveals a hidden path, an answer lying just beneath the surface.
The film’s cinematography enhances this experience with tight, claustrophobic shots, shifting between stark monochromatic imagery and bursts of colour that symbolize fleeting moments of clarity. Accompanied by an ambient, almost meditative soundscape, 'Rubiks' evokes a sense of unease and wonder, compelling the audience to reflect on their struggles with mental wellness.
What makes 'Rubiks' especially poignant is its ability to communicate a universal truth: mental health is not a puzzle to be solved in one decisive move but an ongoing process of alignment, misalignment, and reconfiguration. The protagonist, played by Joshua Ford, does not simply escape the maze but learns to navigate it, embracing the uncertainty and beauty of the journey.
Wilson’s experimental approach defies conventional storytelling, yet its emotional resonance is undeniable. 'Rubiks' speaks volumes about the human condition, about our tendency to feel lost, our desperate search for symmetry, and the realization that sometimes, understanding ourselves means accepting a disorder.
A mesmerizing and thought-provoking piece, 'Rubiks' is a film that lingers long after its final frame, reminding us that while the maze may seem endless, every twist holds the possibility of resolution.
Written by Vlad A.G