The aliens aren’t out there. They are already among us. And Static Codes explains all you need to know as one an alcoholic paraplegic named Richard (Shane Woodson, Heroes) takes them on, as well as a massive cover-up in the disappearance of his wife Penelope (Taryn Manning, Orange Is the New Black),
It’s been 15 years since she was abducted in a very traumatic event which left Richard paralyzed from the waist down and now - broadcasting from his home - he has nothing but his podcast, his alcohol, and his sick dog, Buster, to keep him alive as he rambles on and on about the event which robbed him of his wife.
Even his own daughter, Angie . . . or Angela (Augie Duke, Spring), as she prefers to be called, wants nothing to do with him. With regular visits from a “born again” Christian named Steve (Mike Ferguson, The Flood) to keep him company, he leads a rather pathetic life. But, really, who can blame him?
It’s all about proving what he alone knows to be true.
And director David M. Parks in this his directorial debut treats the character of Richard with an earnestness which is to be appreciated. You actually do feel sorry for him as he goes about his quiet existence in the aftermath of this unfortunate and wild event. Woodson’s quickie performance is also full of charm as he finds himself in some unexpected situations thanks to a sudden change in day-to-day events.
But the government - operating here as a conspiratory Deep State organization - is hiding something about the event and, when Richard begins receiving (what he believes to be) messages from his wife while he tries to get his act together, he realizes that it is up to him to prove what he knows to be true.
Yet, life continues to kick his ass - until a whole slew of “miracles” begin to happen to him. Suddenly, he can walk; his dog is better; and - after consulting others - a tattooed code on his arm. Are these coordinates to where she is?
While there is a bit of a pacing issue with Static Codes - which clocks in at just under 90-minutes - the movie is full of wonderful performances as independent films continue to ratchet up points when it comes to earnest and believable characters. There is also a good sense of satire kicking about the movie, too, but - honestly - the thriller twists the knife of paranoia in unexpected places and delivers a memorable turn as the film blasts toward the final third filling us with dread and a general uneasiness.
But just who is in control here? The agents or the aliens?
Keep on believing. Static Codes has arrived.
MPAA Rating: Unrated.
Runtime: 88 mins
Director: David M. Parks
Writer: David M. Parks
Cast: Taryn Manning; Augie Duke; Shane Woodson
Genre: Sci-fi | Thriller
Tagline: Keep on Believing
Memorable Movie Quote:
Distributor: CCS Releasing
Official Site:
Release Date: August 1, 2023
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: A man's wife was abducted by aliens ten years ago during a car accident which left him paralyzed from the waist down. Given up on life, he has become consumed with only one mission: finding his wife.
