Arrival
Arrival

Arrival

2016Movie116 minEnglish

Taking place after alien crafts land around the world, an expert linguist is recruited by the military to determine whether they come in peace or are a threat.

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Insights

IMDb7.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes94%
Metacritic81/100
Google Users83%
Director: Denis VilleneuveGenres: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi

Plot Summary

When twelve mysterious spacecraft appear across the globe, linguistics professor Louise Banks is recruited by the military to communicate with the extraterrestrial visitors. As she learns to decipher their language, she begins to experience vivid flashbacks that hold the key to understanding their purpose on Earth. Facing global panic and the threat of war, Banks must race against time to find a way to communicate with the aliens before humanity makes a catastrophic mistake.

Critical Reception

Arrival was met with widespread critical acclaim, with particular praise for its direction, screenplay, Amy Adams's performance, and its intellectual and emotional depth. It was lauded for its unique approach to the science fiction genre, focusing on communication and empathy rather than conflict, and for its thought-provoking exploration of time and human connection.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its intelligent and emotionally resonant storytelling.
  • Amy Adams's performance as Dr. Louise Banks is a standout.
  • The film offers a refreshing and philosophical take on alien first contact.

Google audience: Viewers lauded the film's profound themes, emotional impact, and intellectual depth. Many appreciated the unique approach to science fiction, focusing on communication and understanding rather than action. Amy Adams's performance was frequently highlighted as a major strength.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for 8 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay, winning for Best Sound Editing. Received numerous other accolades from critics' circles and industry guilds.

Fun Fact

The alien language, known as Heptapod, was created by linguist Jessica Coon and professor of linguistics Andrew Bird, and was designed to be visually complex and non-linear, reflecting the film's themes of time.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

10 reviews
Andre Gonzales

Andre Gonzales

ok movie really boring at times. it was only interesting to the space craft and the aliens. other then that it was pretty dumb. working together and love is something the planet will never understand. well at least our leaders wont any way.
Filipe Manuel Neto

Filipe Manuel Ne...

**An excellent film, where the main theme is not what it seems.** In general, I'm not a big fan of movies involving aliens... in part because they seem extremely unlikely to me (I don't really believe there is another planet with intelli...
Penguinatic

Penguinatic

This may be my new favourite film. I was so emotionally involved in this film, and I'd be lying if I didn't admit a few tears were shed towards the end.
20thCentury

20thCentury

Arrival has created the most profound and seamless symbolism, notably through cinematography/imagery, that may have ever been achieved to date in film. On the surface, this appears to be a story about humans making contact with an alien ...
Matthew Brady

Matthew Brady

Well damn. I couldn't stop thinking about this one and may not for awhile. "Arrival" is one of the best Sci-Fi films I've seen in this year. Everything about this film was just top notch that I can't put into words without going all over...
BadChristian

BadChristian

Arrival is an attempt to take a more realistic approach to how an alien visitation would play out, especially within global politics. The main thrust is that Amy Adams has to find out what the aliens want before any other country can fuck i...
tmdb47633491

tmdb47633491

"I have a brilliant idea for a movie so what we do is we watch scientists step-by-step learn to communicate with an alien species" "That's awesome but we need an emotional component or audiences will be bored" "Okay the main scientist...
Reno

Reno

**It was a perfect contact, but troubled at the communication.** The film was decent. Nowadays there are lots of altered versions coming that you won't easily say those are the remakes or reboots or spin- offs or whatever they call them ...
Gimly

Gimly

Denis Villenueve offers a great film, but one that is exactly what the trailer put forth, this is not a Sci-Fi War film waiting to happen, or a modern-day horror. It's a character-driven piece about politics, life, humanity and communicatio...
Smashing UK Productions

Smashing UK Prod...

Prior to approaching this film, a word of warning that it is what many like to call a "thinking person's sci-fi". If you're going to watch this, I beg that you dedicate your utmost attention to it, as it is truly one rewarding experiences, ...