What if the key to living a fuller life lies in how we approach death? This provocative idea is at the heart of Edge of Life, a thought-provoking film by the versatile artist Lynette Wallworth. While we’re constantly bombarded with advice on how to live—whether through diets, lifestyle changes, or spiritual practices—rarely do we explore how our relationship with death might transform our existence. Wallworth’s latest work dares to bridge this gap, suggesting that reimagining the process of dying could unlock new ways of living, not in the context of an afterlife, but in the here and now.
The film delves into the groundbreaking use of psychedelics in palliative care, focusing on psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms. But here’s where it gets controversial: as research into psychedelics gains momentum in psychology and psychiatry, Edge of Life zeroes in on a pioneering clinical trial conducted at Melbourne’s St Vincent’s Hospital by Dr. Justin Dwyer and Dr. Margaret Ross. Their work challenges conventional medical approaches, raising questions about whether we’ve been treating the symptoms of dying without addressing its deeper emotional and existential dimensions.
Early on, Dwyer dispels the notion that working in palliative care is depressing. Instead, he describes it as ‘the most life-affirming environment I’ve ever worked in, because it’s all about living.’ Yet, he admits that traditional medicine often leaves patients feeling ‘more sleepy and more quiet’ without truly confronting their fears or uncertainties. ‘I spent 20 years in school,’ he reflects, ‘and learned nothing about how to die.’ This is the part most people miss: our society’s avoidance of death has left even medical professionals ill-equipped to navigate its complexities.
Driven by this realization, Dwyer and Ross turn to psilocybin and seek wisdom from Amazonian and Maya shamans, who have integrated psychedelics into cultural practices for centuries. The film follows the journeys of trial participants like Flavia and Ros, whose experiences are both poignant and transformative. But the doctors themselves aren’t immune to the exploration—they embark on a psychedelic journey of their own, traveling to the Amazon to drink ayahuasca under the guidance of Muka Yawanawa, a shaman of the Yawanawá people. This indigenous perspective is woven throughout the film, which opens with ethereal visuals of the Amazon’s Gregório River and a voiceover from Yawanawa, reflecting on ancient stories and prophecies.
Wallworth’s fascination with water—a symbol of cleansing and renewal—is evident in the film’s stunning aesthetics. One particularly striking scene blends animation and live-action, depicting a woman standing at the ocean’s edge, her hands outstretched toward a shimmering, painted tree pulsing with otherworldly color. It’s a visual metaphor for the film’s central theme: the intersection of science, ancient wisdom, and personal transformation.
What’s remarkable is how grounded the film remains, despite its mystical undertones. Dwyer, Ros, and Dr. Chris Kerr, who leads palliative care at New York’s Buffalo Hospice, are pragmatic professionals, not New Age gurus. Kerr even admits his ‘natural discomfort’ with ‘the woo-woo,’ while noting that ideas about dying transcend cultures, from the Bible to Plato to indigenous traditions. This raises a bold question: if death is a universal experience, why do we treat it as a taboo rather than a source of collective wisdom?
While the film touches on the Yawanawá’s practices, I found myself craving more insights into how other cultures approach death through psychedelics. Yet, Wallworth skillfully balances multiple narratives, giving trial participants the space to share their stories in their own words. She acknowledges the paradox of death being both universal and rarely discussed, framing these ideas not as revolutionary but as rediscovered knowledge.
Edge of Life ultimately argues that new possibilities emerge at the crossroads of science, ancient practice, and a willingness to rethink dying. And this is where it gets personal: if we can reimagine death, how might it change the way we live? The film doesn’t provide easy answers but invites us to ask harder questions. What if the key to a meaningful life lies in confronting its end? What if the wisdom of shamans and scientists alike holds the key to our collective transformation?
Edge of Life is now showing in select cinemas across Australia. Whether you’re a skeptic or a seeker, it’s a film that challenges you to rethink everything you thought you knew about life—and death. So, what’s your take? Is exploring death the ultimate path to understanding life? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation that’s long overdue.
