Is American Kensho: Manifest Destiny Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2017)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

American Kensho: Manifest Destiny, a standout production of 2017, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Drama, Horror, Thriller landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into American Kensho is a series about Buddhist practitioners in genre situations, often also involving queer relationships and the insights of queer theory. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Drama, Horror, Thriller are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "American Kensho is a series about Buddhist practitioners in genre situations, often also involving queer relationships and the insights of queer theory. American Kensho: Manifest Destiny, the first film in this series, is a horror/thriller piece where Sarah, our Zen Buddhist protagonist, and Julia, her pagan lover, battle with mindfulness and magic an oppressive cult attempting to assault their very souls. The writer/director provides a disclaimer for the viewer that while xyr personal Zen Buddhist practice guides the production of this ongoing project, it is an attempt to sort out the relationship of that practice to the world, and does not comprise any sort of Buddhist teaching in itself."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. LaTrell Brennan does an admirable job with the material provided, but one can't help but feel that a more daring directorial approach would have yielded a more impactful result. It is a competent but ultimately standard genre performance.

The direction by Aaron Wyrd is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 20 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is American Kensho: Manifest Destiny truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Drama, Horror, Thriller, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, American Kensho: Manifest Destiny explores the dichotomy of fear and discovery. The 2017 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Aaron Wyrd respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, American Kensho: Manifest Destiny is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of LaTrell Brennan or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, American Kensho: Manifest Destiny is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.