This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the work being covered here wouldn’t exist.
Almost unsurprisingly, Sirona wears a lot of hats. Writer Wesley Clark also directs and plays a prominent role, after all. A superhero movie with thriller aspects, the plot focuses on a secret government site where human experiments are conducted. When the eponymous patient escapes, a group of mercenaries is tasked to bring her back, leading to a no-win situation.
The emphasis on dialogue and people is something of a throwback. Sirona focuses on emotional conflict instead of large set pieces. Wisely, Clark does not go with an over the top MCU-like spectacle and attempts to get in the heads of the characters. This makes the performances more important than any superpower or action scene.
It is a good idea on paper that does not always translate well. The heartless killer with a conscience is a trope that does not hurt the film, but some of the dialogue definitely does. Much of it comes off as either forced and ends up lacking impact. Ironically, this would not be as bad if Sirona was trying to be more formulaic.
A strong argument can be made that Sirona would have been better off using its smaller budget on the special effects expected from this type of story. The cast tries their best, but are not given much to work with. This is exemplified in the final act which relies heavily on action and ends up being the best part of the movie.
Ultimately, it feels like a script that knows what it wants to do, but is unable to commit fully. The escape scene is thrilling and the moral dilemma is enough to draw audiences in. And government secrets are always make fun storytelling. Once Sirona becomes more character-driven it loses a lot of steam, however.
Sirona is available On Demand
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