The film "State of Consciousness" follows Emile Hirsch's character, Stephen, a former military man, gas station clerk, and car mechanic whose life spirals out of control following a murder accusation. The authorities find a dead body in a car left at Stephen’s station, leading to his arrest thanks to his fingerprints being all over the car, despite his ignorance of the details. Looking for an escape, Stephen leans on an old misdiagnosis of bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia to plead insanity.
Soon confined to a psychiatric facility, Stephen faces forcible medication and containment, leading him on a relentless pursuit of freedom and his own version of reality. Hirsch excellently portrays this tormented character, already known for riveting performances in low-budget films such as the 2021 horror thriller "Son" and "American Night," a crime caper.
Adding a layer of real-life association, Hirsch himself pleaded guilty to aggravated assault charges and spent time in jail in 2015. This was no hindrance to his grim portrayal of Stephen, a character bouncing from one false accusation to another, fighting a seemingly relentless world set on destroying his peace.
Despite this engaging premise, "State of Consciousness" somewhat fumbles in its delivery. Stephen's efforts to regain control don't always resonate with the audience, and the plot's climax is underwhelming. Making it all a bit unbelievable are Stephen's grounding characters: a worried partner, Alicia (Tatjana Nardone), and a best friend, Lester (David Wurawa). Their interactions with Stephen often seem forced and unconvincing.
The film's plot is a heavy load, with recent confrontations adding layers to the story, but without adding anything remarkable. Even though there is an attempt at exploring darker, unexpected areas, they never quite materialize.
Viewers attempting to comprehend Stephen's tribulations might find themselves fighting to stay engaged, given the numerous confusing plot developments and awkward dialogues. Despite this, Hirsch's performance does offer glimpses of his character's personality, even if they aren't fully convincing. However, in the end, "State of Consciousness" fails to deliver on its promise of an enthralling psychological journey.
