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John, 316

John, 316 (2021)

Jul 30, 2021 1h 43m Drama

A psychiatric hospital is turned upside down when a mysterious drifter is admitted and assigned to room 316. Known only as John Doe, the other patients believe that he bears an uncanny resemblance to Jesus Christ.

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Directed by Jarvis Greiner

Cast

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Crew

Director
  • Jarvis Greiner
Writer
  • Jarvis Greiner
Producer
  • Gilbert Allan

Reviews

hotshotsfilms

What a unique movie! Definitely not your normal flick about Christianity. It's a modern day retelling of the Jesus story from an religiously objective viewpoint. We get to observe the humanistic benefits of faith as well as the obvious futility of "knowing" if there is a higher power or not. Very entertaining and extremely well done for its low budget status.

Sep 6, 2022

Wuchak
8/10

**_“Would you sit with me?”_**

At a psychiatric hospital in middle America a no-name drifter (Colin Matty) is brought in by the police, covered in a white sheet because he was naked. While he is likable and his eccentric ways win over the patients, the faculty isn’t so sure (Afton Rentz, Griffin Cork, etc.), especially when a new boss takes over (Darrell Portz).

“John, 316” (2020) is a mental hospital drama that’s naturally reminiscent of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975), but with a supernatural element similar to “The Green Mile” (1999) and a protagonist who recalls Toni Collette of “The Sixth Sense” (1999).

It’s amazing this only cost $75,000 (or $100,000 in Canadian dollars) because it’s a worthy drama with entertaining bits and potent insights. Sure, it’s not on the level of “Cuckoo’s Nest” or “Green Mile,” but I prefer it to “Sixth Sense” for several reasons. You get to know the characters and buy them as real people. Only Portz hams it up a bit, but it fits his antagonistic role.

The spiritual points connected with me and they’re way more than just what relates to the title. I’m not going to give ’em away, yet they’re there for all to see; you just have to look beyond society’s programming (brainwashing). One simple scene could easily be missed it’s so mundane, but it speaks deep cosmic truth.

The movie runs 1 hour, 43 minutes, and was shot in Alberta, Canada, at Alberta Beach & Edmonton (hospital). Alberta Beach is about 45 miles west of the big city.

GRADE: B+/A-

Nov 13, 2022

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Thematic Analysis

As a dramatic work, John, 316 examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.

Director Jarvis Greiner brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.

Released in 2021, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.

Did You Know?

  • The production of John, 316 took approximately 14 months from pre-production to final cut.
  • With a budget of $0.1 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
  • The final cut of the film runs for 103 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 138 minutes long.
  • Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
  • Some visual effects sequences took up to 12 months to complete.
  • The film contains approximately 2326 individual shots.

Historical Context

  • In 2021, when this film is released:
  • The COVID-19 pandemic transformed global health, economics, and social interaction.
  • Artificial intelligence was becoming increasingly integrated into daily life and creative industries.
  • Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.

How This Film Stands Out

Details

  • Release Date: July 30, 2021
  • Runtime: 1h 43m
  • Budget: $100,000

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