The idea of alternate realities—universes that resemble our own with subtle variations—can be both fascinating and unsettling. The notion of moving between these realities without even realizing it raises thought-provoking questions about our understanding of reality and identity. This theme is explored in the 2013 film Coherence, directed by James Ward Byrkit. The film follows eight individuals who, while attending a dinner party, unexpectedly find themselves shifting between multiple alternate realities, where even the smallest changes lead to significant consequences.
The story of Coherence begins with Em (Emily Baldoni) attending a dinner party with her boyfriend Kevin (Maury Sterling) and their friends on the night a comet is set to pass overhead. Em’s initial concern is the presence of Kevin’s ex-girlfriend, Laurie (Lauren Maher), who creates some tension. However, the real chaos begins when a power outage occurs.
Hugh (Hugo Armstrong) and Amir (Alex Manugian) go to a nearby house to investigate and return shaken, holding a box that contains unusual items, including photos of the group in red ink. They reveal that they encountered alternate versions of themselves in the other house, setting the stage for the bizarre events that follow.
Emily Baldoni as Em (Photo: Coherence/Oscilloscope Pictures)The Realization of Multiple Realities
As the evening unfolds, the group becomes aware that the comet has opened a portal to multiple parallel realities. These versions of reality are strikingly similar but feature subtle differences. Over time, characters unknowingly switch between these realities, and some, like Mike (Nicholas Brendon), decide to confront their alternate selves, while others, like Laurie, see an opportunity to “trade up” by finding a better version of their reality. This sudden and unpredictable shifting between parallel worlds generates confusion and fear among the group, forcing them to grapple with the implications of their changing lives.
One of the key elements that reveal the reality shifts is the mysterious box that Hugh and Amir brought back. Each alternate reality version of the group has placed a random object inside the box, which serves as a symbol of their respective reality. As the night progresses, it becomes clear that each character has swapped places with their alternate selves.
Em, Kevin, and Laurie remember the ping pong paddle, while others recall items like an oven mitt or napkin. This discovery heightens the tension within the group, as they come to realize that many of the people they thought they knew are not the same individuals they had been with at the start of the night.
Emily Baldoni as Em (Photo: Coherence/Oscilloscope Pictures)Em’s Desperate Search for a Better Reality
Faced with the increasingly hostile atmosphere and discovering an intimate moment between Kevin and Laurie, Em decides to search for a better reality. She stumbles upon multiple versions of the house, each with a similarly tense group until she finds one where she and Kevin are happily together.
In a moment of desperation, Em knocks out her alternate self and takes her place in this more peaceful reality. However, the following morning, she believes she has successfully replaced her alternate version, only to receive a shocking revelation when Kevin gets a call from the real Em, exposing the switch and the consequences of her actions.
The concept of multiple realities in Coherence is rooted in quantum physics, particularly Schrödinger’s cat thought experiment, which suggests that particles can exist in multiple states at once until observed. Hugh, who is knowledgeable in science, explains how the comet caused quantum coherence, allowing multiple realities to crash into one another.
This scientific foundation underpins the events of the film, as characters unintentionally slip between these realities due to the unpredictable nature of the “dark space” they encounter. By the end, Em, Kevin, and Laurie remain the central characters, but Em’s decision to replace herself with her alternate version has serious implications, trapping her into a reality that isn’t hers.
In the end, Coherence presents a thought-provoking exploration of identity, reality, and the consequences of choosing a life that isn’t truly yours. The final moments suggest that while Em may think she has escaped the chaos, the ripple effects of her actions will forever alter her new reality.
