The Assessment

Albeit predictable, this type of film was/is my cup of tea.

This was an interesting watch, I presume it would hit a little differently if you have been a parent though.

The questions it makes us ask about how much of our humanity we are willing to sacrifice for pragmatism, are pointed and timely.

I believe Mia's choice to go to the 'Old World' and live a life of struggle and uncertainty, is a great showcase of the irrationality we try very hard to ignore. She chose a categorically worse life, because she was desperate to live a life that felt more natural to her.

Production was excellent and the soundtrack was well matched to the scenes.

Hidden gem worth that is worth watching.

When the rich build their cocoons, and reality starts to glitch.
The Assessment is a chilling dystopian dive that feels less like a movie, more like a feature-length Black Mirror episode asking: how much control would you surrender for a perfect life?
Fleur Fortuné's debut is visually stunning, with that retro-futurist aesthetic and the stained glass in Mia & Aaryan's house being chef's kiss. Elizabeth Olsen and Himesh Patel are fantastic, portraying that desperate, raw desire for a child. But let's be real, Alicia Vikander owns this film. Her unhinged assessor is a masterclass in unsettling perfection. I was cursing her out on screen for some time – if that's not a testament to a performance, I don't know what is!

This isn't just about parenthood, it's a brutal look at society's elites, turning a blind eye to problems as long as their needs are fulfilled. It cleverly shows how people choose a fake life if it offers happiness, especially when AI blurs the lines of reality. That opening scene? Perhaps Mia's childhood trauma, or maybe Aaryan's virtual child was young Mia, with the disappearing mother a poignant glitch. Maybe I'm thinking too much?
Yes, the pacing is a slow burn, like a simmering anxiety, and the ending feels a tad like ending of an episode in a show. But the writing is so detailed on different people that it can set up a whole new universe at the same time it tells us very less about the system and controls. But for fans of deep psychological thrillers and social commentary on population control – this is right up your alley. It's a film that gets under your skin, sparking questions that linger long after the credits roll.
Sometimes, the truth hurts, but the fake world hurts more.
Alicia Vikander was phenomenal, the heart and soul of the movie.

It's interesting when a film gets under your skin like this one did mine. On one hand you feel certain scenes/themes should have been tackled differently and on the other doing it any other way would have missed the mark.
Superb acting.
Best supporting to Olsen's nips is a guarantee at this point.
Infuriating film yet rewarding on the whole.
A surprising 8.0 for me.

I’m putting this first because it’s important: this film needs a heavy content warning for sexual assault, approximately half way through the film.


Such an interesting sci fi premise that asks you what it means to be human, what you’ll do to get what you want, and does reality matter to you if the experience feels authentic. A film with big questions and opinions about the future about the human race, what the best course of action is or isn’t, and at the heart of it, should we choose what feels like happiness or stay true to the irrationality of the human mind. Deeply layered psychological drama and horror, with a world that is developed just enough, but still leaves you with some questions. The production design is eerie but beautiful, and reminds you of home with an uncanny aura. The performances are good from all, Alicia Vikander gives a segmented, physically demanding performance, with a delicate nuance between terrifying and sympathetic. The Assessment is a film that wants to question and challenge beliefs about reality, humanity, parenting, the climate crisis and planet earth. I recommend this one, but be aware of the sexual assault CW.
8/10

This film needs a LOT of patience…and grace

I'm not saying it was great. The pacing wasn't perfect, and the characters could have been more developed, but I feel like this kind of material is essential and needed for the current state of the industry. So, it was worth watching.

A very interesting premise. I was somehow under the impression that I've seen this movie before. That dinner hosting scene was extremely well acted. Good lord, it reminded me why I always tend to invite people "out" to dinner and rarely invite people into my house for dinners or entertainment. 🙄

Interesting enough. Weirdly pro-natalist and anti-natalist at the same time.