Pax: A dusty, weird trip into the past

Is this for you?

Honestly, you probably shouldn't watch Pax unless you have a weird itch for 1930s European cinema that nobody talks about. If you want something that moves fast or makes perfect sense, skip this. But if you’re the type of person who likes watching old film stock struggle to hold together while people in suits look intensely at each other, then you might get a kick out of it. 📽️

It’s not quite a disaster, but it’s not exactly a masterpiece either. It sits in that uncomfortable middle ground where movies go to be forgotten.

The vibe

The pacing is… well, it’s a choice. There are long stretches where I swear I could hear the camera motor humming louder than the actors. It reminded me a bit of the awkward stillness in 9:25. Przygoda jednej nocy, where you just wait for the next line of dialogue like you're waiting for a bus in the rain.

Gina Manès is doing a lot of heavy lifting here. She has this look in her eyes like she’s trying to remember if she left the stove on back home. It works, somehow. It gives the whole thing a grounded, human feel that the script probably didn't intend.

Odd little moments

• There’s a scene about halfway through where someone just stands by a window for way too long. Nothing happens. They just look out. It’s hypnotic.
• The sound quality feels like it was recorded inside a tin can that was also underwater.
• The background extras in the party scene seem genuinely confused about where to stand. Half of them are just staring at the floor.

It’s not as slick as The Criminal Code, which feels like a polished machine compared to this. Pax is messy. It’s like a piece of furniture that was built by someone who lost the instruction manual but decided to finish the job anyway.

Final thoughts

I found myself wondering if anyone involved actually liked the story. There's a cynicism to the performances that cuts through the stiff dialogue. It’s not great, but it’s definitely something. If you’re bored on a Sunday and want to feel like you’ve traveled back in time to a very specific, very beige era of filmmaking, give it a go. Just don't blame me when you zone out for ten minutes straight. 🤷‍♂️