The term “surreal” has become a catch-all phrase to describe anything from an alien abduction to a meal at Arby’s. But in its original context, it refers to a style that combines hyper-reality, dreams, and familiar elements in unexpected settings. French filmmakers Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani apply this concept to their film “Reflection in a Dead Diamond,” which draws inspiration from the early James Bond franchise, as well as other classics like “Death in Venice” and Italian giallo horror.
The film is not directly based on “Star Trek,” but rather uses similar adventure series elements. Pulp novels that reference the film serve as a reality check, while also highlighting the Dalí-esque juxtapositions that drive the narrative. With its dominant use of yellow, this 2023 release has been added to the Shudder platform, making it accessible to fans of horror and suspense.
Source: https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/television