The nature of time and reality have been the basis for a number of stories through the years. The film Tethered, from writer/director Greg Furuoka explores an aspect of that same concept. It begins with a mystery and ends up unfolding in some surprising ways.
The film centers on a pair of detectives, Sam (Caroline Harris) and Keller (Joshua Kwak) who are investigating a case that takes them to the forest. While there, Keller disappears. Haunted, Sam struggles to find a way forward. She’s racked by grief and determined to get to the bottom of what really happened to her partner.
That leads Sam on a journey that uncovers the connection that spot in the forest has to a fracture in time that threatens her reality. It sucks Sam down a rabbit hole that changes her understanding of what is real.
This film has lofty ideas but they don’t quite come together in this film. I was curious to see where it would go but the last act sort of crumbles under the weight of these aspirations. I’m not sure what Furuoka wants us to take from the narrative and at the end I found myself more confused than entertained.
Overall, it’s not a particularly dynamic film. Despite that, I enjoyed the basic ide and thought Harris did some nice work in the central role. The issue was the confusing nature of the overall story and what felt like under-developed characters and relationships. When the climax comes the groundwork hasn’t been laid well enough for you to invest in what’s happening and what it means for Sam.
Overall Tethered was an interesting swing that doesn’t come together.
Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.
