They don’t advertise for killers in the newspaper.

That was my profession. Ex-cop, ex-blade runner, ex-killer. I’d quit because I’d had a belly full of killing. My name is Ross Patterson and now I’m a private investigator working with the LAPD. I’m currently in Downtown LA, and my objective is to infiltrate the Replicant community, hunt down the latest Nexus 7 model and bring suspects in for questioning. Oh, and yeah, I’m married, but have a secret life with Utopia Companion Martha Forrest. Let’s keep it all on the QT.

What’s all a bit weird is that I keep getting flashbacks (total recall in fact) to an imaginary other-life where I play sci-fi journalist Nick Joy, reviewing movies and events… but what’s real, and what’s a dream? I imagine I’m reviewing a fully immersive live cinema event, and yet everything here is real, from the smells of the noodles at the White Dragon, to the taste of the Johnny Walker malt at the bar. In fact, the only things that are artificial are the fake humans, the replicants that have infiltrated this society.

I was told to bring a transparent umbrella or a raincoat – good call, considering it’s always raining acid here – goggles, a UV pen and photos of my family, the latter to prove that I have real memories, not those implanted by the Tyrell Corporation. We’re promised that a new world awaits us in the off-world colonies.

While trying to find the skin jobs I speak to Bryant and Gaff at LAPD, take part in a raid at a night club and go undercover at a rally for those fighting the authorities. It’s a world of perpetual darkness, and the rain is incessant, so we grab some street food to shelter, before pursuing some Replicants that are now terrorising Chinatown.

Verdict: I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. For a Blade Runner fan, this is the closest you’ll ever get to living the movie. Book now before all these moments are lost in time, like tears in rain. 10/10

Ross Patterson

 

Secret Cinema presents Blade Runner – The Final Cut: A Secret Live Experience runs until 8 July 2018. Book tickets at https://tickets.secretcinema.org/, but be quick, as many dates are already sold out.