LOLA is a British found footage film released in 2022. Unlike most found footage films, this one is science fiction rather than horror. Set in the early 1940s, it follows sisters Thomasina (Thom) and Martha (Mars) Hanbury as they create a machine that can receive broadcasts from the future. The British army takes an interest in their invention and attempt to use it to help fight the Nazis in World War II. But events soon spiral out of control and the sisters' previously unshakable bond is put to the test.
Not to be confused with Lola.
Tropes:
- Alternate History: The changes to the timeline result in Hitler invading Britain and installing a fascist government.
- Ambiguous Ending: The onscreen text at the end implies that Mars was successful in getting past Thom to dismantle LOLA. But we do not find out what happens to the two of them apart from a photo that shows them celebrating V-E Day.
- Apocalyptic Log: The entire film turns out to be this, as Mars compiled it after the fall of Britain to the Nazis. She hopes that Thom's past self will see it using LOLA and prevent the terrible future from happening.
- Bathtub Scene: Mars films her and Thom in the bath together complete with Censor Suds.
- Disappeared Dad: Mars and Thom's father was killed in World War I.
- Historical Domain Character: Winston Churchill, Adolph Hitler and Franklin D. Roosevelt are featured in newsreel footage along with lesser-known figures like Oswald Mosley.
- Missing Mom: Mars and Thom's mother went for a walk one day and ended up at the bottom of a ravine. The film leaves it unclear as to whether it was an accidental fall or suicide.
- My God, What Have I Done?: Thom has a severe crisis of conscience after helping Britain's fascist government.
- Shout-Out:
- Mars sings "You Really Got Me" two decades before its release to a cheering crowd in a similar scene to Marty McFly's anachronistic rendition of "Johnny B. Goode" in Back to the Future.
- Charles Lindbergh becomes President of the United States in the altered timeline, just as he did in The Plot Against America.
- Toplessness from the Back: Mars is filmed topless from behind by her boyfriend Sebastian.
