TO build a sci-fi thriller from this screenplay by Spanish-born brothers David and Alex Pastor, India-born California-educated director Tarsem Singh struggles manfully to keep a clear view of the main character’s identity. That’s not easy.

Terminally unwell billionaire Damian (Ben Kingsley wasted in such a short-lasting role) doesn’t care to be told that he can’t have what he wants.

Enter Albright (Matthew Goode) who has built a wondrous machine rather resembling a pair of MRI scanners that rotate around the whole of the patient’s body. The dying patient lies in one. In the other lies a fit human into which the machines will transfer the dying man’s persona. What a wondrous invention for the wealthy to play with!

The cadaver that gets Damian has had military training. He’s gonna need it! Played by Ryan Reynolds, the donor spends the film fleeing from nasty guys who want to kill not only him but also his pre-procedure wife and daughter who take a while to realise that he’s less dead than thought.

Proletarians like these would not have shone brightly in Damian’s pre-op view of humanity. But Damian in the new body spends most of the film protecting them from annihilation. I don’t get it. Probably you won’t either.

“Self/Less” is unlikely to satisfy those who need their movies to make sense, no matter how preposterous their genre and dramatic environment. Filmgoers seeking befuddlement in a violent chase framework may find it worthwhile.

At Hoyts, Capitol 6, Dendy and Limelight