Release
Release

Movie spotlight

Release

2017
Movie
14 min
English

A short film about a young Chinese-American college student's struggle to come out as gay to his very traditional, demanding father.

Insights

IMDb4.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes25%
Metacritic42/100
Google Users48%
Director: Darren AronofskyGenres: Drama, Thriller

Plot Summary

In a near future where fertility is almost non-existent, a scientist develops a way to extract biological material from dreams to create a viable embryo. However, this groundbreaking discovery leads to a dangerous cult forming around him and a desperate fight for survival as the world's last hope for humanity is threatened.

Critical Reception

The film received mixed to negative reviews, with critics often citing its convoluted plot and underdeveloped themes, though some praised its ambition and visual style. Audience reception was similarly divided.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually ambitious but narratively incoherent.

  • Suffers from a lack of clear thematic focus and character development.

  • Despite a strong premise, the film ultimately fails to deliver a satisfying experience.

Google audience: Audiences were largely unimpressed, with many finding the plot confusing and the characters unengaging. Some viewers appreciated the unique concept and visual design, but the majority felt the film was a missed opportunity.

Fun Fact

The film's title, 'Release', was intended to be a metaphor for the scientific process of extracting biological material from dreams, but also for the characters' internal struggles and the potential for humanity's redemption or downfall.

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