The Assessment Review : An Underrated Gem | Control, Parenthood, and the Human Psyche

The Assessment : 

A Chilling Dive into Control, Parenthood, and the Human Psyche

The Assessment is not just a film, it's an experience that lingers, much like a particularly unsettling dream. This dystopian psychological sci-fi thriller, directed by the impressively debutant Fleur Fortuné, peels back layers of societal control and the profound weight of parenthood in a world where having children is a luxury, not a given. It's a slow burn, yes, but for those who resonate with its core themes, it's an intensely rewarding and thought-provoking watch.

The film boldly poses crucial questions: What would you sacrifice for health, longevity, and safety? How much intrusion into your life and privacy would you tolerate before it becomes too much? These inquiries resonate deeply throughout the narrative, making The Assessment feel like an extended, meticulously crafted episode of Black Mirror. While it ostensibly deals with the idea of parenthood, its true genius lies in its exploration of control – who wields it, how it's exerted, and the desperate lengths people go to maintain it.If you're someone about social commentary, parenthood, and population control, this film is precisely up your alley.

A particularly poignant element of The Assessment is its sharp commentary on the elites of society. The film depicts a disturbing future where the wealthy are creating a fake, insulated world, ready to retreat into it should reality fail them. This mirrors a chilling truth about our own world, where privileged individuals often turn a blind eye to global problems as long as their own needs are met. Moreover, the movie brilliantly illustrates how people can choose to live a fake life within a comfortable cocoon if it brings them happiness, rather than confronting harsh truths. With advancements in AI making it increasingly difficult to differentiate between what's real and what's not, this theme feels more relevant than ever. The film pushes us to question the blurred lines of reality and the allure of manufactured bliss.

Fortuné's debut is a masterclass in atmospheric filmmaking. The retro-futurist aesthetic and the outstanding production design immediately stand out. Mia and Aaryan's house, with its striking use of color and stained glass, is particularly memorable, creating a visually distinct world that's both sterile and subtly beautiful. The way the plot develops, while feeling somewhat familiar to the Black Mirror format, genuinely works here. It cleverly intertwines elements that might remind viewers of films like Orphan and Dogtooth, creating a unique blend of dystopian sci-fi with a sharp social critique.

The performances are nothing short of superb, with the lead trio completely vanishing into their roles. Elizabeth Olsen and Himesh Patel deliver compelling portrayals of a couple desperate to prove their worthiness for parenthood, showcasing the immense pressure and emotional toll such an assessment would take. However, as you rightly pointed out, Alicia Vikander is truly the heart and soul of the movie, the undisputed standout. Her portrayal of Virginia, the unhinged assessor, is phenomenal and unforgettable. Having previously seen her Oscar-winning performance in The Danish Girl, it's clear Vikander possesses an incredible range, embodying vastly different characters with equal brilliance. It's no wonder you, like many, will hate Virgini, even cursing her every time she appeared on screen – that's the mark of a truly impactful performance.

The opening scene of the movie is ripe for interpretation, possibly depicting Mia's deep-seated trauma as a young girl who grew up without a mother's presence. There's also a compelling theory that the virtual child Aaryan created was, in fact, the young Mia we see swimming towards the shore. In this light, the mother disappearing could be interpreted as a poignant glitch in this virtual reality, highlighting the underlying emotional wounds and the very real human desire for connection that even advanced technology struggles to replicate.

While the pacing might be an issue for some, described as mundane yet solemn, it largely works for the film's thematic weight. It allows the heavy context to sink in, forcing viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about a society that believes the only path to improvement is through control and enforcement. The premise is brilliantly conceived and exceptionally written, hinting at a vast, rich universe that could easily spawn more stories. Yet, it also wisely keeps certain aspects of the system shrouded in mystery, which, while intriguing, might leave some wanting more concrete details. The ending, perhaps, feels more like a ending of an episode in a show rather than a definitive film finale, which might contribute to it not quite hitting that perfection, but it's a great one even though.

The Assessment is undoubtedly an infuriating yet rewarding film. It gets under your skin, sparking internal debates about how certain themes should have been handled, only to realize that any other approach might have missed the mark entirely. It's a testament to the film's power that it can provoke such strong feelings. This is an assessment many of us, for all our certainty, would likely fail, highlighting the profound and unsettling questions it raises about our own world and the future of human connection. We wouldn't mind seeing Minnie and Indira in an old world prequel, would we?

-------

Follow me on twitter (X) for more, of the same relevant content on Tech, Cinema, Football, Cricket n' a lot more - 

https://x.com/patelritiq?t=eVSL1qRxUalMJ-HXuFw_5w&s=09

•••

Also checkout my Letterboxd and trakt for movies and shows related content :

- My profile on Letterboxd https://boxd.it/cuUjd

- Trakt Profile https://trakt.tv/users/patelritiq