Neon Jesters
- Tagline
- In the cyber-streets, revenge is a game and everyone's playing to win.
- Description
- In a neon-dazzled cityscape where the future is now, a retired cyber-athlete, played by Edgar Ramirez, is pulled back into the arena by a rogue AI. With the help of a chivalrous yet glitchy hologram warrior, portrayed by Doughy Breadnolds, and an obsolete robot assassin voiced by Zac Efruit, our protagonist must navigate through treacherous underground gaming circuits to dismantle the tyrannical e-sports empire that betrayed him. Teaming up with a rag-tag squad of cyber-rebels, including a Paladin seeking redemption, a Barbarian running from his past, a Ranger with sniper precision, and a Rogue whose charm is as deadly as her daggers, they navigate through a city filled with seedy dens and corrupt megacorps. Directed by Ron Howlard, 'Neon Jesters' pits pixel against steel in an impartial tale of digital revenge where every laugh is laced with danger, and every joke could be your last.
- MpaaRating
- R
- PopularityScore
- 7.30
- ReleaseDate
- 10/06/2022
- Genre
- Comedy
- Director(s)
- Cast
Critic Reviews
6.00
'Neon Jesters,' despite basking in the luminescent afterglow of countless cyberpunk precedents, emerges with a certain disjointed charm. Ron Howlard directs with a heavy hand, perhaps unsure whether to embrace the farcical elements of Doughy Breadnolds's glitchy hologram warrior or the stern cyber-realism of Edgar Ramirez's retired avatar. There is, nestled within the sporadic humor and over-saturated visual spectacle, a through-line that touches intriguingly on themes of technological betrayal and the quest for a purpose beyond the screen. However, the film is undercut by its wavering tone and a patchwork script that cannot decide if it's more invested in pixels or narrative substance. The additional voice work from Zac Efruit lends a certain gravitas to the otherwise whimsical robot assassin character, which adds to the film's juxtaposition of styles. With a worthy nod to formidable cinematography that captivates the cityscape's synthetic pulse, 'Neon Jesters' offers visual candy that may not satiate narrative hunger but provides a certain level of escapism for those willing to suspend disbelief and immerse in its digital dystopia. It's a game which many will drop out of, but for those who stay until the final round, the reward is in witnessing the neon-drenched chaos unfold. A solid yet unexceptional venture into cyber-fantasy.