Upstream Color
Upstream Color

Movie spotlight

Upstream Color

2013
Movie
96 min
English

A man and woman are drawn together, entangled in the lifecycle of an ageless organism. Identity becomes an illusion as they struggle to assemble the loose fragments of wrecked lives.

Insights

IMDb6.6/10
Rotten Tomatoes90%
Metacritic88/100
Google Users80%
Director: Shane CarruthGenres: Sci-Fi, Drama, Romance, Mystery

Plot Summary

A man uses a complex biological process to steal people's identities, a process which affects a woman named Kris. After she is drugged and seemingly violated by the thief, she finds herself disoriented and begins a journey to reclaim her life. Along the way, she encounters a man named Jeff, and together they attempt to make sense of the fragmented memories and profound emotional experiences that stem from this mysterious parasitic phenomenon.

Critical Reception

Upstream Color was met with widespread critical acclaim, particularly for its ambitious and original storytelling, stunning visuals, and profound emotional impact. Critics praised Carruth's unique directorial vision and the film's ability to evoke deep philosophical and emotional responses, even if its complex narrative was challenging for some.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its bold, original, and deeply personal storytelling.

  • Lauded for its hypnotic visuals and hauntingly beautiful score.

  • Noted for its challenging, non-linear narrative that rewards attentive viewing.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's unique artistic vision and emotional resonance, finding it to be a thought-provoking and memorable experience. Some viewers found the narrative complex and abstract, requiring multiple viewings to fully grasp.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Alfred P. Sloan Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.

Fun Fact

Shane Carruth, who wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the film, also composed the score and handled cinematography himself, a testament to his singular vision.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
artlawless

artlawless

After almost 9 years since Primer, Shane Carruth returned with his next film, Upstream Color. Once again, Shane played multiple roles in the creation of this film – producer (one of), director, writer, actor (one of), music director, cinema...