Have you ever experienced a loss? When someone you know and love passes, their loss can feel immense. It can consume you in your everyday life. But what if there was a way to re-create that connection? Would you take it?

That’s the question posed in O Horizon, which opened in New York June 12 and opens in limited release on June 19. The film focuses on a woman who has suffered a loss. When she’s offered a chance to re-connect via a new technology, she seizes on it, going on a unique journey.

The film follows Abby (Maria Bakalova). At the outset, we see through a home movie, she used to have a strong relationship with another scientist, Evan (Maggie Grace), and her beloved father Warren (David Straithairn). But now, she has neither. She is alone and isolated in her work and her life.

Warren passed away, and his loss is felt throughout Abby’s life. Meanwhile, thanks in part to her choice of work over accompanying Abby when Warren met his end, her relationship with Evan has crumbled. They work in the same facility—in different areas—and there is an iciness in their current relationship that leaves Abby very much isolated and alone.

When she sees an ad for a new program to help gain a friend, she drops in for a visit. There, Sam (Adam Pally) shares that through a new technology pieces of data collected about a lost friend, relative, or love can be fed into the machine to recreate that experience. Abby feeds in the data for Warren, and soon they begin a phone relationship again.

While it’s not her father—not really—it helps to fill the void. It helps Abby to make peace with what happened and to find a way forward. She is able to, in part, heal her relationship with Evan and even find a new chance at love (Avi Nash). But can she let go of her link to the past before it holds her back from embracing this new future?

This film comes from writer/director Madeline Rotzler. It’s an interesting idea, but it feels a bit like ground that’s been covered before. We’ve seen it in films and shows, even something similar in a Black Mirror episode. So, this feels like somewhat well-worn ground where technology is used as a substitute for a real-world connection that’s been lost.

The ideas of loss of family, loss of love, and loss of purpose also feel somewhat universal. So, for a story like this to hit it needs to add something unique and captivating, or a character that captures your heart. O Horizon makes some big swings. That includes an appearance by singer/songwriter Aimee Mann in the third act, who brings some pathos and music.

But that’s not enough. This is an awkward narrative, and the character of Abby feels a bit too shallow at times. She moves from moment-to-moment, and we never see enough of a connection to any of the people or love interests in her life to develop a real connection. Her conversations and interactions with Warren are interesting, but they lack the emotional depth to make them compelling.

In the end, this is a big swing with some interesting ideas. But it can’t land the plane in a satisfying and memorable way.

O Horizon is in limited release on Friday, June 19.

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.