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Dying Teen Seeks Solace in Virtual Reality as Family Fractures
14 Nov
Summary
- Terminally ill teen finds refuge in VRChat virtual world
- Family members retreat into social media, faith, and plant-based cure
- Director films actors in VR, blending real and virtual worlds
On November 14, 2025, the film 'LifeLike' (Bir Arada Yalnız) explores the themes of human mortality, the need for connection, and the yearning for transcendence. The third feature from Turkish director Ali Vatansever, the movie tells the story of a family torn apart by the impending death of their 19-year-old son, İzzet.
As İzzet nears the end of his life, he finds refuge in the virtual reality platform VRChat, where he invites a girl to his real-life home. Meanwhile, his mother, Reyhan, becomes fixated on a rumored healing plant and gains online fame for her desperate attempts to save her son. İzzet's father, Abdi, a withdrawn school bus driver, seeks comfort in prayer and neglects his work.
Vatansever, who also teaches film production and VR at Koç University in Istanbul, actually filmed some scenes inside VRChat, with the director present and the actors wearing VR headsets and performing as avatars. This unique approach allowed the film to explore the blurred boundaries between the real and virtual worlds, and how technology can both isolate and connect people.
In the end, Abdi converts his school bus into a mobile room and takes İzzet on the road, using the alleged healing plant as an excuse. As father and son share precious time together, Abdi changes course, setting off in search of a miracle.
