In the opening moments of That Alien, Sound, the uptight boyfriend Shannon (Will Tranfo) expresses his frustration, telling Mika (Mia Danelle), “You keep playing this alien role, and I’m over it.” His words resonate with the audience’s early sentiments about this eccentric indie sci-fi comedy. This marks just the beginning of Brando Topp’s directorial debut, where Mika, jamming to wild sounds on her headphones, unwittingly becomes the host for an alien soundwave that has been floating in space, absorbing Earth’s vibrations.
The film unfolds like a lo-fi Los Angeles reinterpretation of The Man Who Fell to Earth. As the soundwave—later named Sound—navigates her new reality, she playfully annoys Shannon by tossing tissues around the car and fiddling with the steering wheel. When she returns to her puzzled parents’ home, she revels in her newfound senses, leading to an amusing mishap with a frying pan while trying to enjoy breakfast. Her brother Deyo (Deyo Forteza) later invites her to a band rehearsal, giving the disembodied wave a chance to experience live music.
The body-swap premise has a disjointed feel, with little justification for the soundwave element beyond sheer absurdity. Some scenes drag on, reminiscent of a laid-back Echo Park improv troupe fresh off a night of indulgence. As Sound confronts the realities of Earth, she delivers over-the-top rants about climate change and human folly—moments that risk veering into cliché territory.
However, the film begins to hit its stride in the latter half, when Sound, Shannon, and Deyo journey to a music festival, aiming to broadcast a signal that could bring Mika back. As the narrative shifts to explore the crumbling relationship between Mika and Shannon, the alien aspect begins to serve as a metaphor for the strangeness he feels in her new persona and the identity transformation she’s pursuing. Even some of the film’s quirky elements—like arriving at the festival in a Mozart costume—transform into endearing moments as Topp’s direction aligns with genuine themes. Ultimately, the movie reveals that within every quirky indie comedy lies a heartfelt road story waiting to emerge.
That Alien, Sound will be available on digital platforms beginning August 18.
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