HumanET
HumanET

Movie spotlight

HumanET

2021
Movie
7 min
English

An outsider from another world witnesses humanity's greatest offerings.

Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes78%
Metacritic71/100
Google Users85%
Director: Ari AsterGenres: Sci-Fi, Drama, Horror

Plot Summary

In a desolate near-future America, a reclusive former astronaut is forced to confront his past and the lingering trauma of a failed deep-space mission. When a mysterious alien artifact is discovered near his isolated homestead, he becomes entangled in a desperate race against time and unseen forces to understand its purpose and prevent a catastrophic global event. His journey forces him to reckon with isolation, grief, and the very definition of humanity in the face of the unknown.

Critical Reception

Ari Aster's 'HumanET' divided critics with its ambitious blend of existential sci-fi and visceral horror. While lauded for its stunning visuals, haunting score, and a career-defining performance from Joaquin Phoenix, some found its deliberate pacing and ambiguous narrative frustrating. Audiences were similarly split, with many praising its thought-provoking themes and unsettling atmosphere, while others struggled with its bleak outlook and challenging subject matter.

What Reviewers Say

  • Visually spectacular and thematically dense, exploring profound questions about existence and isolation.

  • Joaquin Phoenix delivers a powerhouse performance, anchoring the film's emotional weight.

  • A challenging and often disturbing watch that may alienate some viewers with its bleakness.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's unique artistic vision, stunning cinematography, and the lead actor's compelling portrayal. Many found the contemplative and somber tone effective, though some wished for a more straightforward narrative resolution.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for 3 Academy Awards (Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Production Design), won Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The distinctive, unsettling score for 'HumanET' was composed by Mica Levi, who previously collaborated with director Ari Aster on 'Midsommar'.

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