Foe (2023) User Reviews

110 minutes I will never get back

[stevelivesey-37183 · 4/10 · 9 November 2023]

In short, slow, boring, disappointing, well made, well acted with some lovely cinematography. The central story concept is great although never fully explored. The sci fi element of the story is an irrelevance.

Around the 50 minutes mark if started to become a slog to listen to naval gazing of the lead actors. The pace of the movie is quite languid which normally I don't mind.

There just seems to be so many plot points raised that are just never followed up on, how did they end up on the list? The film suggests that that Ronan's character puts her husbands name in the hat. Why does a cross section of society need to be sent away to space when clearly Paul Mescals character seems mentally unwell. How would he surviv3 in space? Why does a stranger from the government have live with them in a creepy, passive aggressive style?

You can definitely make a more compelling movie with these ingredients, but this film is not it.

hard to buy

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 30 December 2023]

It's 2065. Water is scarced. People are moving to space. Hen (Saoirse Ronan) and Junior (Paul Mescal) live on his farm which his family has owned for five generations. Farming is a struggle and he works at a chicken factory. There is tension in the marriage. Out of the blue, Terrance (Aaron Pierre) comes to their door. He's recruiting for space pioneers and maybe do a little threatening on top of that.

There is an interesting sci-fi concept and an intriguing reveal somewhere in this movie. I can't buy the undercooked sci-fi concept. As a mystery, the movie is holding back a few pieces in the puzzle and the audience is kept waiting. The terrific pairing of Mescal and Ronan is giving it their all, but the movie keeps going in circles. The surrealism mounts until the movie goes down the drain.

Impressive acting - The piano meets Frankenstein ...

[tm-sheehan · 5/10 · 7 November 2023]

My Review- Foe My Rating. 5/10

The impressive acting by the trio of stars in Foe from Saorise Ronan and Paul Mescal and Aaron Pierre couldn't salvage this angst ridden dystopian self indulgent melodrama for me .

For me this movie is a confusing mish mash of scenes that at times reminded me of Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf meets Frankenstein at The Rocky Horror Show.

Set in 2065 For's about the sad lives of a young couple Hen played by Saorise Ronanand her husband Junior played by Paul Mescal who oddly works in a poultry abattoir as he's married to a Hen.

Filmed in Victoria and South Australia Foe takes place in Americas MidWest and tells the story of a married couple living a life of isolation in a wasteland that's been denuded of any vegetation as a result of the neglect that our planet is experiencing today .

A stranger named Terence drives up to their home knocks on the door and tells them the good news that Junior has been chosen because of his obvious fitness and strength to be part of a relocation exercise for Earthlings to find another planet to ruin.

Terence assures Junior that Hen will not be left alone as an artificial replacement for Junior complete with all his physical prowess and his memories will take his place while he's away .

That's enough plot line the emotional drama then increases as Terence interviews the couple about every intimate part of their relationship warts and all which only uncovers more tension and angst.

The novel Foe which I haven't read by Iain Reid is promoted as a taut, psychological mind-bender from the bestselling author of I'm Thinking of Ending Things.

The screen play adaptation of the movie by Garth Davis and Iain Reid in my opinion is sloppy and at times mind numbing instead of mind bending .

The Direction by Garth Davis considering his previous great movies like Lion and Penguin Bloom I found disappointing it seemed to steer this space ship out of orbit.

However the chemistry and charisma of Saorise Ronan and Paul Mescal who is shirtless most of the movie was impressive and I hope they team up again in a better film.

Will some author please write an uplifting story set in a future where Politicians and populations overcome the terrible future scenario we are told is inevitable today ?

Perhaps it's too late? But the old saying of what we eat today walks and talks tomorrow could be changed to what we think today will become tomorrow comes to mind I'm pleased I won't be here to see it .

Interstellar from AliExpress with acting masterclass

[sofijauzi · 5/10 · 12 November 2023]

Phenomenal acting, a pure masterclass of the two (Ronan and Mescal), directing, plot, script- 0 points. Such great actors in such a pointless movie, with no storyline, a wannabe artistic masterpiece, but it just doesn't go over the ramp.

Excellent movie for acting students, as well as the directing ones - how to not direct a movie.

For the rest of the world -skip it, unless you are a die-hard fan.

Interstellar, but from AliExpress, with a pinch of marriage drama and kilos of boredom, with acting masterclass.

Don't have anything else to say, this one is just for the minimum character limit's sake.

Was this really good or really bad? I am on the fence.

[bay-77008 · 7/10 · 5 January 2024]

I thought I'd explain what I think really happened because a good number of viewers seem to have missed some points.

Year 2065, Midwestern US, scorched earth, no vegetation. In a farmhouse on a vast expanse of dry, dusty dead farmland, a young married couple lives in isolation but for their mundane jobs, hers as a waitress and his at a chicken processing plant. Right off you know that the wife, Hen, is unhappy and he is clueless about it.

One night a G-man shows up in the middle of the night to claim that the husband, Junior, has been picked in a lottery to join a team on a satellite in space above the earth where they will make efforts to create life off the dying planet. Junior is no more than an ordinary man so why he was selected due to his strength and prowess is a question. Junior will go away and leave Hen alone, but the G-man has a plan. They will create a robot in Junior's likeness with all his memories and feelings to keep her company while he's gone. Right.

The process begins and the G-man moves in to observe both Junior and Hen so they can create the best robot and this goes on throughout most of the movie as we watch Junior deteriorate psychologically and I wonder if he's ever going to actually leave.

Well apparently, he did leave and the whole time we've been watching not real Junior but robot junior because real Junior arrives back one day. Time has passed and he is led to a room where the robot is now being subdued and chained to the floor. The robot doesn't know he isn't the real Junior and cries in anguish calling out for a distraught Hen who has fallen in love with him.

Robot Junior is then plastic wrapped and taken away while real Junior is remains but is jealous and angry. Hen had revealed to the G-man early on that she would truly like to just leave if she had the courage and move on to new horizons. So when she realizes she is now stuck with a man she doesn't love, she leaves him an empty note that "says nothing and everything at the same time". She is gone and real Junior wails in sadness.

Next thing you know there are bright lights outside and a happier Hen walks through the door. She is back. But it's a robot Hen. Final scene, real Hen is on a flight looking out the window.

FOE Review: The Cast Can't Save this Black Mirror Wannabe

[mendymariamKE · 3/10 · 12 November 2023]

The story unfolds with the mysterious arrival of Terrance, claiming government affiliation. He proposes that Junior leaves home for years to pilot a space program amid Earth's rapid deterioration. Junior resists, but Henrietta absorbs the news, aware of an extensive plan to watch over her during his absence.

Terrance integrates into their lives, conducting interviews and revealing startling visions of the future and grim truths from the past.

Despite stunning visuals and A-list talent, "FOE" falls short. Efforts to inject substance are undermined by nonsensical storytelling and awkward dialogue. Esteemed actors can't salvage the film's status, and deep conversations fall short due to a weak script.

On the surface, "FOE" presents a visually stunning experience, featuring the talents of Saoirse Ronan, Paul Mescal, and Aaron Pierre as they journey through, picturesque landscapes and delve into profound human emotions like love and loss.

Despite being the central focus, the exploration of Hen and Junior's marriage is not interesting at all.

Junior's possessiveness and jealousy of Hen's interactions with Terrance are unsurprising, while Hen expresses a feeling of stifling predictability in the marriage.

She shares with Terrance the struggle of losing her sense of self within the confines of her unhappy marriage.

Despite her evident discontent, the film persistently attempts to portray her situation as if everything is fine, thereby undermining the sole narrative thread of the story.

The film's superficial ending may prompt you to question the worth of the time you've spent watching it.

Even though it strives to take cues from the sci-fi thriller genre, specifically "Black Mirror," "FOE" fails miserably.

This is about relationship drama, not so much Sci-Fi/SPOILER ALERT

[sherripadgitt · 7/10 · 15 January 2024]

I truly think if this wasn't labeled as science fiction that the reviews would be better. This is a movie (to me) about the relationship between a man and his wife in which there is a complicated dynamic between the two. Especially with Fen, as she changes moods from one moment to the next while, Junior seems happy most of the time. Fen has reasons she is moody as she is stuck on the farm all day every day and Junior at least goes to work.

I'm not sure they needed to go to the science fiction story in this or left the drama out of the science fiction or compromised on both, but this ends up leaving much of the sci-fi out except for the concepts of it and leaves pretty much a drama film based on Hen and Junior's relationship.

SPOILER ALERT --BELOW HERE

A man does come to their home saying Junior won the lottery and needs to train so that they both can live in space in the future. In the meantime, an AI needs to stay with Hen to keep her company. The AI is an exact replica of Junior and has Junior's personality and consciousness. The AI has all of Junior's memories and personality. In the movie you cannot even tell that the Junior at home is the AI. They seamlessly bring that on. Hen develops a relationship with AI Junior and at what point she realizes it is an AI is not clear for me. It is a slow-burn so I don't think I could watch this again.

During this entire show, the government man who came in the beginning also stays with Hen to monitor everything. The movie never really goes to space to visualize what the real Junior is doing and how he is faring or what life is like up in space. I suppose that would have given the surprise away, but to me it wasn't really much of a surprise to guess that the Junior at home was the AI.... I figured that was the case.

The movie carries on until real Junior comes home and it becomes horrible for the AI Junior that is a real self-aware being. He is locked to the floor and writhing around knowing he is going to lose Hen forever. It is particularly sad.

Once back with real Junior, Hen's relationship with him breaks down as Junior is very jealous that Hen fell in love with AI Junior. Nothing seems to work. The next thing that happens is that Hen leaves and Junior goes crazy looking for her. After this, Hen walks into the dining room with Junior at the table and she seems renewed with a happier demeanor. Hen has now been replaced with her AI.

I wanted to like it

[srgymrat33 · 3/10 · 12 January 2024]

First of all , I LOVE both of them as actors , I am a little bit in love with him and she is just amazing. They have both done fantastic work and I was amped to see them in a movie together . That is pretty much where the enjoyment ended - that these two were in a movie together.

The plot is SLOW and it is slow for no reason - there is very little character development , you feel marginally confused most of the movie , important plot points of interest are never elaborated on or explained . It was honestly just boring. You did not like any of the characters, the mixed tech was perplexing - they can live in space but don't have cell phones ? . The dialogue and writing was atrocious and just when you feel that something is becoming clear with Junior or Hen - they do something to completely belittle the point . One could say that is showing human nature - but no - in this case it was just bad filmmaking .

I haven't read the book - and this movie did not make me want to . Watch something else and let's all keep our fingers crossed these two get another chance together .

Takes Two Viewings

[Mehki_Girl · 7/10 · 10 January 2024]

This is a movie about a relationship, when one person is unhappy and the other doesn't know or care enough to notice.

Set in the future of a dying earth, Junior, husband to Hen(rietta), is told by Terrence from the government that he will have to go into space to set up a new off earth colony. It'll take years.

The couple has been married for 7 years. The wife isn't content to be on the useless, been in the family for generations farm of Junior and wants something different.

While the arguments between them aren't written in a particularly natural way, we are meant to pick up their unhappiness or at least the wife's. Also, long pensive scenes of the wife crying in the shower and looking in the distance is supposed to help us understand her unhappiness.

There's a cheat in the movie and for some, once it's made clearer 3/4ths the way through, might be enough to to make them want to go back and watch the movie again, because then you'll know which time we're looking at at any given moment - past, parent, or future throughout the film.

If you are perceptive enough you'll know. There are breadcrumbs all along the way.

Once I did, it made the film much more clever and a lot less confusing and less seemingly disjointed.

Proof that good actors don't always have chemistry

[jtindahouse · 4/10 · 16 December 2023]

I recently reviewed a movie based on a book and noted how great it was that it didn't feel like a film based on a book. 'Foe' on the other hand felt very much like a movie based on a book. The dialogue was extremely clunky and the kind of stuff that could be fine when read on the page, but sounds ridiculous and uninspired when said out loud.

Also I found some of the direction very strange in this one. I half expected to look the director up and see a first-timer, not someone who had directed a Best Picture nominee in the past. It was little things but they kept adding up. There were scenes where three characters would all be yelling, and yet at no point would any of them stand up. There was no desire to make scenes like this in any way cinematic in nature.

The biggest crime the film commits though is that it is painfully boring. Despite having two very good actors in the lead roles, there is zero chemistry there. To be fair, the script gives them almost nothing to work with. When you have to spend the entire film with these two people and there is absolutely nothing likeable there to work with, it is always going to be a tedious experience.

The sad thing is that the idea of the movie has merit. If done in a different way, this film could have worked masterfully. It wasn't though and for that reason this was not an enjoyable experience. 4/10.

Once it's over, it all comes together

[colette-97863 · 9/10 · 5 January 2024]

This is not a typical sci-fi, which may account for the low ratings. It's a relationship drama initiated by a futuristic premise. I did read several negative reviews but decided to give it a shot anyway. 30 minutes in, I was hooked. The plotting might come across as slow and the dialogue cumbersome until everything is revealed, but then it all fits together and Prima facie assumptions crumble. The art is not in the unsurprising plot "twist" but in how all of the scenes that precede it build to that moment. I'll definitely be watching it again with open eyes directed to the execution of the story.

Utter Trash

[scottjtepper · 8 January 2024]

What a waste of time. The actual story would take about 15 minutes to tell. It might make a short, but its length of almost two hours is just too much.

As for it being a science fiction tale, the only two things that are in the future are the Tesla-like car the actor playing a government official drives -- once -- and a slow moving flying ship. The concept may be futuristic, but what's on the screen is just a boring story involving three actors.

I won't bore anyone with the story, because frankly there wasn't one. This was the director's vanity project. I'm sorry I watched. I thought something was going to happen. Nothing did, and the twist was signaled about halfway through.

I stayed with this film to see how it would deliver that twist. It delivered it ham-handedly.

Utter trash and a total waste of a viewer's time.

I guess i like boring movies now

[analaurabusta · 6/10 · 23 January 2024]

Am i the only one that loved it? I've been reading lots and lots of reviews... and god , everyone is saying horrible things lol .

Now i dont now what else to say. Apparently my review is too short, so let me get my ideas straight about what to write.

First of all, love seeing Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal together in the big screen. Second of all, LOVED the pacing and simplicity of the story. As i said before, i guess i have a thing for boring movies. What to do when you feel like a foe in your own life? Anyways...

This movie made me think about the future. 40 years from now on, AI walking down the street, dancing, flirting... just living among us, the "real people". It kinda scary, but i wont deny that it would be a hell of interesting having an AI as a friend.

Rip AI Junior. Cried like a baby in that scene. Dont judge.

Minimum character limit met!

So much wasted potential

[elliest_5 · 5/10 · 19 November 2023]

This film about a couple living in isolation on a desolate landscape and contemplating the possibility of one of them going to space, leaving behind an identical android "copy", has two major advantages and one fatal flaw:

(a) It's wonderfully acted, with an electric chemistry between all three main actors.

(b) The setting (a house in the middle of a dystopian wasteland) is really atmospheric, both claustrophobic and melancholically beautiful.

(c) The screenplay is a disaster. And the lack of originality in the premise is the least of its problems.

Ronan and Mescal are two of the best actors of their generation, and I was eagerly waiting to see them act opposite each other. They did the absolute best they could with what they had: two characters without clear background, without foundations, completely lacking transparency in motives and internal journeys. Still, the chemistry was palpable and somewhat rescued what would have otherwise been a completely lifeless film.

I watched a review (by Mark Kermode) saying that the film is doing wonderfully up until 2/3 of the way through, when the endless exposition starts and all the magic and mystery is lost. I disagree. I found this film lacking from the very beginning, because you had this wonderful atmosphere that could have felt like watching an intense 3-person stage play, but the dialogues were all wrong. Boring, full of clichés, and establishing nothing. We see the characters have unexplained emotional outbursts, we get contradictory clues about their relationships, the "mystery" (you can see the plot twist coming from a mile away) is badly built, no gradual progression.

This terribly contrived and pretentious screenplay made me think of Kurt Vonnegut's simple advice for writing: "Give your readers as much information as possible as soon as possible. To hell with suspense. Readers should have such complete understanding of what is going on, where and why, that they could finish the story themselves, should cockroaches eat the last few pages." Suspense is not such a bad thing, of course. But when it's prioritised over building comprehensible characters, then things start to go wrong. And it's funny that for a film that hides so much from the viewer in the first two acts, it sure loves exposition in the third act. Like, it goes from one extreme to the other with nothing in between, and with both extremes utterly failing to arouse any emotions.

What a waste.

Incomprehensible and non-sensical mess

[paul-allaer · 3/10 · 8 January 2024]

As "Foe" (2023 release; 110 min) opens, it is "The Midwest, 2065", and we are introduced to a young couple, Hen and Junior, living somewhere remote, in a world where water and inhabitable land is very precious. One evening they get a rare visitor: a guy who claims to be from the government, promises that they have made the shortlist to move to a space station. Or was that a threat?

Couple of comments: this is the latest from Australian director Gareth David ("Lion"), who also co-wrote and co-produced. Here he brings a premise (relationship drama set in 2065) that could be intriguing. Alas, without giving anything away of the plot, I can tell you that this movie is simply incomprehensible for much of the time. I kept telling myself as I was watching this "I don't understand what is going on?" and "This doesn't make any sense whatsoever." I kept hoping this would eventually somehow get better. Let's be clear: it does not get better. And it's certainly not for a lack of trying by the co-leads Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal, who try their darnest with the weak material they were handed.

"Foe" premiered at last Fall's Bew York City film festival to ho-hum rection, and I'm being mild. This movie is currently rated a mere 24% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, and there is a reason for that. The movie is not streaming on Amazon Prime, where I caught it. As the movie came to its conclusion, I realized that I just lost 2 hours of my life that I will never get back. Don't make the same mistake! Of course you don't have to take my word for it so go ahead and check it out and draw your own conclusion.

Second half is good while the first half is barely watchable

[thiwankar1 · 6/10 · 9 November 2023]

It was very confusing in the first half of the film; I fast forwarded some parts because it was unwatchable at times. Then enter the twist, things started to make sense. It was a good couple of hours spent by the end. It was nicely woven together, soundtrack was nice, cinematography was appropriate for a dystopian drama, and the acting from the main two characters was great. But the first half of the movie kind of ruins it, and even when the twist was introduced and it started making sense, it didn't compensate for my misery watching the first part. I just watched it until the end because I was curious, not because it was that interesting. But the ending was sufficient enough for me to think I didn't waste my time with this one.

Why make it in the first place

[Tarpeena777 · 1/10 · 6 December 2023]

Movies are meant to entertain you - sometimes they make you think, sometimes they may you laugh. Other times you wish it to end as quick as possible like this near two hours of dreck. You have 2 people living out in basically a wasteland and don't appear to go to a supermarket often but they have food and drink. Neither appear to work and there doesn't appear to be a vegie garden attached to the house and yet they don't seem to be short of food or power. It is set in the future which is always a problem in terms of realism.

So the male is meant to go away on some spaceship but how he is selected is a mystery and then another man from an "agency" of sorts is supposed to observe their behaviours so they can clone a robot to replace him while the man is away.

And then he comes back and they live happily ever after.

God give me strength.

a couple

[Kirpianuscus · 16 January 2024]

From the start, my decision to see Foe was only for actors. And , at the end, grace to image, acting , some good scenes and obvious noble intentions of director, , I was more than content about it.

The story... . The story is the familiar one - in night, the stranger with a proposition changing the life of a couple. But the house, the beautiful work of Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal , the slow rhytm and the poetry of image were only things I expected them. And this makes for me Foe as a beautiful film - maybe perfect option after a tough work day-. The twists - one confuse and childish, the other predictable but confirmed by the last scenes, are the weak parts of film. Like few couples tries of Aaron Pierce to make his character realistic.

In short, just I liked. The story is only a pretext , obvious. And, indeed, the film seems made only for fans of actors or cinematographic poems. But, it is enough. So, just beautiful.

It's about relationships, and how we take others-or ourselves-for granted

[juliahj-78778 · 6/10 · 10 January 2024]

Yes, like others mentioned before, the plot is quite nonsense and it bothers. It would definitely be much better If there was no space context or AI involved.

So don't watch this for the sake of being entertained.

Nevertheless, watch this if and when you're up to getting introspective, or reflect on your relationships. I thought it was provocative, and it leaves you thinking of how much we change overtime, and also, how much we idealize or come up with excuses for our partners behaviors - maybe in an attempt to sooth us down - when the reality is much uglier. And there's Paul mescal, and that alone is a reason to give it a go.

[4.2] Liquid in a drought

[cjonesas · 4/10 · 11 November 2023]

A dismal movie with just good acting by Saoirse Ronan, Paul Mescal and Aaron Pierre, if by good acting one includes sitting, chatting, punching the walls and hungrily staring at rosy skin. We already live in dystopian world, we don't need on top of that dystopian science fiction shoved down our throat.

Strangely though, the movie starts good and interesting, but quickly delves into torpor and theatrical limited scenes. They didn't even bother to make a good ending for it. The number of times that I saw characters drinking bottled beer and taking long shots showers is inconceivable in a 1:50h movie!

The only things interesting were the yellow-lit gadget on the back of his neck and "him" being suctioned out in that plastic "quality" bag.

• Screenplay/storyline/plots: 2
• Development: 7
• Realism: 4.5
• Entertainment: 2
• Acting: 6.5
• Filming/photography/cinematography: 6
• VFX: 5.5
• Music/score/sound: 6.5
• Depth: 6
• Logic: 1
• Flow: 3
• Drama/sci-fi/thriller: 3
• Ending: 2.

I get the hate but this is good

[griffithxjohnson · 7/10 · 28 December 2023]

A fascinating concept that has an unexpected focus on human relationships. Too heady & try-hard for it to reach full potential but a great look at futuristic love. The cast is strong enough to overcome the slow pace & dense dialogue.

. .

. A fascinating concept that has an unexpected focus on human relationships. Too heady & try-hard for it to reach full potential but a great look at futuristic love. The cast is strong enough to overcome the slow pace & dense dialogue.

. .

. A fascinating concept that has an unexpected focus on human relationships. Too heady & try-hard for it to reach full potential but a great look at futuristic love. The cast is strong enough to overcome the slow pace & dense dialogue.

A Visually Striking Journey with Mixed Messaging

[cutie7 · 5/10 · 30 October 2023]

"Foe" takes you on a captivating ride through a sci-fi story that unfolds at a leisurely pace. The film's visuals are simply breathtaking, seamlessly blending the natural beauty of the Australian landscape. The camera work strikes a perfect balance, capturing all the important moments without getting in the way.

While the movie tries to dive into the ups and downs of human relationships, sometimes it struggles to hit the mark. The main idea, about how clones that look like humans might be better at forming romantic connections, is interesting. But at times, the way it's presented can feel a bit over-the-top.

The actors give it their all, bringing the characters to life in a way that feels real. Yet, there are moments when the writing doesn't quite match up. Some scenes, like the intimate moments, feel a bit obligatory and disconnected from the main story.

In the end, "Foe" is a movie you'll want to watch again, especially for its stunning visuals. It transports you to a world of wonder, beautifully captured in the heart of Australia. While it may not be flawless, it offers a unique take on the complexities of human connections in a world that's always on the move.

Beautiful, slow burn Sci-fi

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 22 January 2024]

This slow burn science fiction is set in 2065, when Earth's climate has deteriorated to the point that water is scarce and little grows. Hen and her husband, Junior, live in a remote farm house that has been in his family for several generations. Life isn't easy but they get by. One day a stranger, Terrance, comes to their door telling them about a lottery where those with certain skills are being selected to work in a new orbital space station... Junior is a candidate for selection. Sometime later he returns and tells them Junior has been selected, and has no choice about going. To make life easier for Hen Junior will be replaced by a synthetic A. I. replica. To ensure it is as real as possible Terrence stays with them to learn all about their relationship a process that might strain it.

I'm not all that surprised that this film isn't rated higher; it had the feel of a film that people would really like or really dislike. Thankfully for me I really enjoyed it. The premise is fairly simple and the twists weren't too surprising but it kept me gripped from start to finish. It is very much a character led film and thanks to superb acting from Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal as Hen and Junior I believed in their relationship with its various ups and downs. Aaron Pierre also impresses as Terrance, the character that serves as the catalyst for most of what happens. The setting adds to the atmosphere; even though we see our leads working with other people their home feels incredibly isolated. Overall I'd say this certainly won't be for everybody but if you enjoy character led science fiction it is definitely worth giving a go.

"Not looking up, but looking down"

[imoyess · 7/10 · 13 January 2024]

This movie holds better upon re-watch, but it still may not be enough for some to compensate.

With a screenplay based on a book written decades ago, it lingers with the details of movies from that time; short dialogues, long pauses, and big silences. It hopes the audience understands without major directions, like french movies, and yet ultimately it gives up on that vision and serves meaning on a silver plate.

That may be the problem with it, a fountain of contradiction.

-Written like an old movie, filmed like a new movie.

-Aura of a noir european film, essence of an american one.

-Too long and too short; a first hour that is meant to show how this couple rekindles their love ends up feeling stretched even with passion scenes it seems lacking, by contrast after "a year later" the second hour happens in a blink.

It drowns in it's own conceptually beautiful ideas.

Atmospheric Nonsense

[donaldnwolfe · 4/10 · 9 January 2024]

I kind of liked the grim but artistic cinematography - relentlessly depressing but beautiful. The actors do a nice job portraying anguish but their dialogue is unrealistic and inconsistent. The plot is absurd. I guessed the primary "twist" early on and the final twist makes no sense at all - the shadowy government behind the machinations central to the plot has an incredibly dumb approach to solving humanity's crises. It's sad to see Saoirse Ronan's talent wasted in such an undercooked mess of a movie. Watch this film if darkness, anxiety, weeping and out-of-place, underlit sex scenes are your thing.