Arrival
dir. Denis Villeneuve · 2016
Understanding and communication are essential to navigating the complexities of existence and connecting with others.
Feature
Identity Crisis
Mood
Contemplative / Melancholic
Look
muted color palette with ethereal landscapes
Structure
non-linear with flashbacks and parallel timelines
Plot
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.
Why watch
"Arrival" invites viewers into a transcendent exploration of language and time, challenging our perceptions of communication and connection. With its poignant narrative and haunting visuals, it probes the depths of human emotion against the backdrop of extraterrestrial encounter.
Cultural context
contemporary exploration of globalizationincreasing interest in linguisticsreflections on human connection in a fragmented societypost-9/11 anxieties regarding communication and understanding