The Weird World of Ayar Blasco
Directed by Argentinian animator Ayar Blasco, Lava is a follow-up to his cult hit El Sol. It inhabits a similar space: post-apocalyptic, cynical, and deeply weird. The story centers on Deborah, a tattoo artist, which immediately sets a more 'adult' tone than your typical animated feature. The film spends a lot of time on the mundane chatter of housemates before the sci-fi elements—like the red-tinted screen and the subsequent arrival of giant felines—take over.
Media Literacy or Just Messy?
The film's strongest suit is its satire of prestige TV. The characters are obsessed with Gain of Clones, a thinly veiled Game of Thrones parody. When the signal cuts out and the brainwashing begins, the movie makes its point loud and clear: we are vulnerable to the screens we stare at. However, the execution is hit-or-miss. While the 'giant cat' invasion is a fun, surreal image, the film struggles to maintain a coherent pace.
The Stereotyping Issue
It's worth noting that some critics have called out the film for using lazy and offensive visual stereotypes, particularly regarding non-white characters. In an indie film that prides itself on being 'subversive,' falling back on old-school caricatures is a major disappointment. This, combined with the 15+ age rating, makes it a title that requires a lot of context if a teenager is going to watch it.
