Review for ‘‘Lost Cos’’ by Robin de Levita

Lost Cos, written, directed & produced by industry veteran & innovator Robin de Levita, is a better noir, a better revenge story, and a better superhero film than most mainstream high-budget Hollywood productions.

The film's central plot of a young woman struggling with past trauma while battling new adversity and navigating threats is nothing unheard of, however de Levita executes this main arm of the plot flawlessly, even though the secondary plotlines never reach the same emotional highs as Eni's story. It's nothing short of impressive how the story fits in not only unexpected and emotional twists, but also great representation, themes of sexual trauma, loss, the creation of a safe space and its invasion by abusive personalities, how dress, creativity and sexuality can be used as means of both self-expression and as a coping mechanism, and finally how the way we view ourselves empowers us in the face of oppression and adversity.

Lost Cos is a veritable visual feast, from exceptional camerawork and editing to the centerpiece cosplay outfits and the amazing comic book-style action sequences that draw inspiration from vintage comic books as well as newer, exceptional films based on comic book aesthetics such as Sin City and Into the Spider-Verse. The songs are used cleverly in the soundtrack, and the cinematography is excellent in immersing us in this underground world and its beauty. Finally, the acting is good if a bit variable in quality, however the lead performances expertly toe the line between drama and ironic camp.

An explosive & immersive neo-noir piece with unparalleled esthetics, Lost Cos leaves almost nothing to be desired, at the same time telling a heartfelt story sprinkled with dark humor and touching on topical themes and issues. A great piece of cinema by a seasoned team & director, that left us wanting more of that same insane universe.