Nothing (2003)

Review: Nothing (2003)

Score: 7/10

Nothing is a bizarre, philosophically audacious, and surprisingly poignant low-budget Canadian comedy that operates on a premise of pure, surreal logic. Directed by Vincenzo Natali (Cube), it follows two chronically miserable best friends, Dave and Andrew, whose lives are a cascade of petty humiliations and cosmic bad luck. When their world literally begins to disappear around them—starting with a pesky talking squirrel—they discover they have a unique, nihilistic power: anything they agree "is nothing" ceases to exist. What begins as a juvenile game of erasing annoyances spirals into an existential crisis as their entire reality threatens to vanish into a void of their own making.

What Works Brilliantly:

• A High-Concept Premise Executed with Conviction: The film fully commits to its absurdist, metaphysical rules. The visual effects, while deliberately simple, are effective in portraying the unnerving, clean white void that consumes the world piece by piece. The concept serves as a darkly hilarious metaphor for depression, denial, and the desire to opt out of a painful reality.
• Sharp, Dark Humour & Strong Chemistry: The lead duo, played by David Hewlett and Andrew Miller, share a convincingly worn-in friendship. Their witty, cynical banter carries the film, making their descent into cosmic negation both funny and strangely tragic. The humour is bone-dry and perfectly suited to the film's deadpan exploration of utter despair.
• Unexpected Emotional Depth: Beneath the absurdity lies a genuine, melancholic heart. The film becomes a story about the bonds that tie us to existence, no matter how flawed, and the terrifying freedom (and loneliness) of absolute negation. The final act achieves a quiet, poetic resonance that elevates it beyond its comedic shell.

Why It’s Not a Higher Score:

• Deliberately Repetitive Structure: The middle section of the film can feel cyclical, as the pair go through the motions of erasing more of their world. This repetition mirrors their stagnant despair but may test the patience of some viewers.
• Low-Budget Limitations: The film's aesthetic is intentionally drab and claustrophobic, which serves its theme but can be visually unappealing. Some of the more ambitious "disappearance" scenes are conceptually strong but show the constraints of their budget.
• An Acquired Taste: This is niche, philosophical cinema wrapped in a slacker-comedy disguise. Its particular blend of existential dread and dry humour will not resonate with everyone.

Verdict:

Nothing is a clever, courageous, and oddly moving cult film. It’s a minimalist thought experiment that uses its limited resources to explore maximally big ideas about meaning, friendship, and the will to exist. While its pacing and aesthetic won’t be for all tastes, for viewers who connect with its unique wavelength, it offers a funny, bleak, and ultimately haunting experience that sticks with you far longer than its 70-minute runtime. A hidden gem for fans of high-concept, talky indie sci-fi.

Watch if: You love existential, low-budget sci-fi (like Cube or Coherence), dark philosophical comedies, or films about nihilism and friendship. Skip if: You require conventional plots, high-energy pacing, or polished visuals. This is a talky, conceptual film about two guys making the universe disappear from a suburban living room.