watch it stoned pls b0ss

I give this film 3 starfish

Lucile Hadzihalilovic’s unforgettably unsettling Evolution is set on a rustic island somewhere off the coast of France, perhaps in the stretch of azure sea between the YA dystopia of The Giver and the chilly urban streets of Under the Skin. It's a place where single women with white brows and black pupils raise a generation of young boys without fathers (nowhere to be seen).

During the days, the youths go swimming amongst the coral. At night, their mothers feed their kids a mush of curdled squid ink and inject their skinny arms with a vile sleep-inducing goop they refer to as “medicine.” One evening, a curious little boy named Nicolas (Max Brebant) manages to resist his dose, slipping out of the spartan house he shares with his mom (Julie-Marie Parmentier). He follows her to the shore, and that’s when things start to get weird.

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me, 30 minutes in, already bored out of my mind: well... maybe i'll just keep watching to see what tf is going on

movie: *explains nothing for 50 more minutes and starts rolling the credits*

me: ...well fuck me i guess

Best horror films of 2016?

A prime example of a film that will either float your boat or not, there won't be much middle ground.

Evolution is an oblique tale of humanity versus nature, childhood versus adulthood and gender versus gender.

Or it's just a creepy film about starfish, worm porridge and scary women experimenting on little boys.

Or it's both.

Or neither.

What I am sure of is that it is a singularly intriguing film that manages to convey an arthouse sensibility and blend it with a surreal (and serene) horror vibe that is both disturbing and mesmerising.

Most definitely one of the better genre films that just refuses to be one and thusly allows itself to be its own unique self. Kind of like the film's protagonist.

I feel so torn on this one!! 

On one hand, the cinematography and sound design are incredible. The story is unique and definitely interesting. 

But the lack of dialogue and context had me really struggling to feel truly pulled into the story. A rarity in that I typically find the more ambiguous of films exciting to mull over but here I found it, for lack of a better word, disappointing. 

Still glad that I gave it a chance even if it ended up not being what I expected!

what kind of twilight zone nonsense

As a photographic exhibit it would be stunning. As a film it’s merely an aesthetic masquerade. It moves at a contemplative pace under the impression that it has some profound subversive narrative that warrants its slow drift. Ultimately, it’s the equivalent of a top notch cinematography reel on Vimeo extended into a feature.

very visually appealing but.. what the fuck did i just watch?

Unpredictable from start to finish, this feels like the darkest fairy tale not meant for kids. Director Lucile Hadžihalilović approached this disturbing sci-fi horror with absolute restraint, which can be a double-edged sword.

Chronicling a boy's mystery-solving journey in a small coastal community where only adult women and boys exist, Evolution is a visually splendid slow-burn that takes its time to reveal the shocking truth behind the curtains, and it features impressive performances from its adorable child ensemble, led by a perfectly cast Max Brebant, who has the perfect look for his role of a gloomy yet inquisitive boy. The creepy symbolism of the starfish ties the whole narrative together, and although the story does stall at times, overall this is still an enjoyable ride that rewards the patient ones who are able to connect the dots themselves.