High Life
High Life

Movie spotlight

High Life

2009
Movie
80 min
English

It's 1983, and hopeless junkie Dick gets an unwelcome visit from the past - his seriously sleazy former cellmate, Bug, to be precise. Bug requires a crash course in the 80s: different music, different drugs, and machines in walls that dispense money. The latter development gives Dick an idea.

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes71%
Metacritic69/100
Google Users66%
Director: Claire DenisGenres: Science Fiction, Drama, Horror

Plot Summary

In the depths of space, a group of criminals is sent on a mission to a black hole. Their bodies are used for scientific experiments, and they are forced to confront their own desires and instincts. As the mission progresses, the isolation and the psychological toll of their situation begin to take their toll, leading to a descent into madness and violence. The film explores themes of reproduction, humanity, and the consequences of unchecked scientific ambition.

Critical Reception

High Life received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its unique vision, atmospheric tension, and strong performances, particularly from Robert Pattinson and Juliette Binoche. However, some found its bleak tone and challenging narrative difficult to engage with.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually striking and thematically ambitious, offering a unique and unsettling vision of space exploration.

  • Robert Pattinson delivers a compelling performance as a man struggling with his humanity in extreme circumstances.

  • The film's challenging and often disturbing content may alienate some viewers, but its artistic merit is undeniable.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's artistic direction and thought-provoking themes, with many finding it a unique and memorable cinematic experience. Some viewers found the pacing slow and the subject matter too bleak or explicit.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The distinctive "sex box" where characters engage in sexual activity was designed by the acclaimed artist Olafur Eliasson.

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