Arrival

Arrival has one of the riskiest sci-fi concepts in the genre, yet it works only better with each new watch, delivering one of the most authentic, refreshing, and unique portrayals of aliens in film. This is where my major love affair with Denis kind of began. It’s so beautiful. So intellectually engaging. While completely being a sci-fi alien invasion film, Arrival is built upon genuine emotion and connection. Denis Villeneuve intertwines these two ideas so incredibly well and so beautifully. It’s very impactful but also gives you time to breathe. There are these huge aliens and yet it’s such an unbelievably grounded slow-burn meditative film that explores themes of humanity, time, communication, and memories. It treats its spectacle as a source of human emotion rather than aimless CG aliens VS. humans war. It takes such a reserved and contained approach, especially for sci-fi, and I think that’s what attracted me the most to it. Amy Adams delivers a performance of a lifetime and her best to date, one that should’ve at least gotten her an Oscar nomination, fucking despicable. As thought-provoking as the story is, Adams' performance is what truly holds this together and elevates this to heights that are out of this world. The non-linear storytelling mirrors the film’s themes of communication and perception elevates the emotional weight and makes the narrative even more compelling. With On the Nature of Daylight playing in the back of both the beginning and the final moments, the conclusion feels extremely rewarding and satisfying not only on the first watch but still on the 11th. I think Denis closes a lot of loose ends and warps this film up masterfully in the end, but he also leaves enough room for interpretation and gives us ample opportunity to discuss it. By the end, you’re leaving this film with an understanding of where the story goes, rather than thinking “Where do we go from here”. It’s a perfect, emotional, and complex sci-fi film from another realm, an ethereal and transcendent experience unlike any other. It's mind-bending, thought-provoking, and out of this world good. Its craft in the sci-fi genre is unmatched in modern filmmaking thanks to Denis' masterful direction and technical aspects that just transcend this film to the peaks of sci-fi and the highest possible level of filmmaking. I used to think this was the beginning of your story. Memory is a strange thing. It doesn’t work like I thought it did. We are so bound by time, by its order. I remember moments in the middle. And this was the end. But now I’m not so sure I believe in beginnings and endings. There are days that define your story beyond your life. Like the day they arrived.So, Hannah, this is where your story begins. The day they departed. Despite knowing the journey and where it leads, I embrace it. And I welcome every moment of it. I’m in love😍