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The Secret Art of Human Flight

Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Mystery & Thriller

RatingRatingRatingRatingRating4.8

DirectorH.P. Mendoza

ProducerTina Carbone, Jonathan Lim, Grant Rosenmeyer, Benjamin Wiessner

ScreenwriterJesse Orenshein

DistributorLevel 33 Entertainment

Release Date DateJul 5, 2024, Limited

LanguageEnglish

Runtime1h 47m

Introduction

After the sudden death of his wife, children’s book author Ben Grady (Grant Rosenmeyer) goes through an extreme mourning process, alienating himself from his sister Gloria (Lucy DeVito) and her husband Tom (Nican Robinson). When Ben stumbles upon the dark web, he discovers a mysterious self-help book written by an enigmatic guru named "Mealworm" (Oscar Nominee Paul Raci), who claims to have harnessed the power to fly. The book arrives... and so does Mealworm, forcing Ben to navigate his family life, accusations of foul play, and the bizarre rituals laid before him by his new mentor, in the hopes of healing and ultimately achieving human flight.

Critics Reviews

Monica Castillo3.8

303

Jul 14, 2024
"The Secret Art of Human Flight" delves into the heart-wrenching journey of Ben Grady, masterfully portrayed by Grant Rosenmeyer, as he grapples with the loss of his wife. Alienated from his sister Gloria (Lucy DeVito) and her husband Tom (Nican Robinson), Ben's descent into grief leads him to a dark web discovery and the enigmatic Mealworm (Paul Raci). As bizarre rituals and family strife unfold, the film's empathetic core shines through. Director Mendoza and writer Orenshein craft a poignant exploration of mourning, offering viewers a tender, surreal portrait of grief and the desperate quest for healing.

Matt Zoller Seitz4.5

487

Jun 20, 2023
"The Secret Art of Human Flight" delivers an intriguing blend of dark comedy and surrealism, anchored by the solid direction of H.P. Mendoza and clever writing from Jesse Orenstein. Grant Rosenmeyer gives a compelling performance as Ben, a grieving children's book author drawn into the bizarre teachings of "Mealworm," a character masterfully portrayed by Paul Raci. The film skillfully balances its quirky humor with poignant moments of emotional depth, making for an engaging and unpredictable journey. Raci, as expected, shines in his supporting role, adding layers of mystique and gravitas. Fans of offbeat cinema will find much to appreciate here.
The Secret Art of Human Flight
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