The Lazarus Project (2008)

The Lazarus Project Poster

After Ben Garvey foolishly turned back to crime, he thought his life was over when he was sentenced to death by lethal injection. But his death sentence isn't quite what it seems, as Ben regains consciousness near an eerie psychiatric ward, where he's told he's been hired as the groundskeeper. With the state of his soul in question, and the love for his wife and daughter all the more real and powerful, Ben must figure out if he's truly cheated death, or if he's become part of something far more sinister.

Intro
"The Lazarus Project" is a thrilling American-Canadian drama movie launched in 2008. A psychological masterpiece directed by John Patrick Glenn and including Paul Walker, Piper Perabo, and Bob Gunton in the lead roles, the film has to do with a man captured in a complex web of deceit and secret, requiring him to question his peace of mind and truth.

Plot Summary
Paul Walker plays the lead character, Ben Garvey, a family man with a criminal past. He is attempting to turn his life around in addition to his wife, Lisa (Piper Perabo), and little girl, Katie. Nevertheless, he loses his job all of a sudden and, in a bid to provide for his family, returns to criminal activities. He joins his former partner in a heist, aiming to steal gold dust from a cathedral. The objective goes south, the security guard and all his accomplices are killed, and Ben is detained.

Sentenced to death for his hand in the burglary-gone-wrong, Ben's efforts to appeal are not successful, and he is carried out via lethal injection. Following his execution, Ben inexplicably gets up, alive and well, in a little Oregon town, seemingly utilized as a groundskeeper at a mental organization.

Upsetting Realities and Questions about Sanity
Here, Father Ezra (Bob Gunton) is his company, who also appears to know about his past and execution, comfortably discussing it. Instilled with unusually realistic and brilliant dreams of his execution and his daughter, Katie, Ben begins to question his circumstances and peace of mind. He attempts to leave the town however constantly ends up right back at center in some way, contributing to his confusion and desperation.

Persuaded that he is still alive, he tries to reach his better half, Lisa, and figure out the truth behind his presence. But every attempt appears to advance his descent into a mysterious reality. Throughout this mission to find out his reality, Ben becomes knowledgeable about Julie (Linda Cardellini), who is unquestionably a fascinating character wrapped in secret.

Revelations and Conclusion
The film peaks as Father Ezra lastly reveals a cd stored away in a box under a wooden flooring, labeled 'The Lazarus Project.' It exposes a psychological experiment carried out by the organization to offer death row inmates a second chance at life, discussing his resurrection.

In the end, Ben handles to escape the town and the institution, just to discover himself back at his execution scene, exposing that whatever after his death was a hallucination due to the drugs used for his execution. He then surrenders and passes away, accepting his fate, while thinking that he had spent a significant quantity of time living in the Oregon town.

Analysis
"The Lazarus Project" launched themes of psychology, hallucination, pseudo-resurrection, and criminal redemption. It held viewers on edge with its gloomy, spooky atmosphere, extraordinary efficiencies by Paul Walker and Bob Gunton, and psychological drama elements that unveil gradually to an unanticipated climax.

In conclusion, "The Lazarus Project", with its appealing story and mental thriller aspects, explores the concept of regret, regret, and the enormous desire for redemption. It presents the audience with an emotionally charged point of view of a man who undergoes an extensive and scary journey within his mind that straddles truth and dream.

Top Cast

  • Paul Walker (small)
    Paul Walker
    Ben Garvey
  • Piper Perabo (small)
    Piper Perabo
    Lisa Garvey
  • Lambert Wilson (small)
    Lambert Wilson
    Avery
  • Linda Cardellini (small)
    Linda Cardellini
    Julie Ingram
  • Shawn Hatosy (small)
    Shawn Hatosy
    Ricky Garvey
  • Bob Gunton (small)
    Bob Gunton
    Father Ezra
  • Malcolm Goodwin (small)
    Malcolm Goodwin
    Robbie
  • Brooklynn Proulx
    Katie Garvey
  • Tony Curran (small)
    Tony Curran
    William Reeds
  • Ross McMillan
    Dr. James
  • Aaron Hughes (small)
    Aaron Hughes
    Caleb