Film Review #96: FOE
Film Review #96: FOE
*This film review may contain plot spoilers, reader discretion is advised.*
Environmental crises related to climate change and the possible, imminent takeover of AI continue to be two of the biggest concerns our planet faces, particularly in recent years. Even before the severity of these issues steadily increased as years went on, many films, such as Don’t Look Up (2021) and Ex Machina (2014), have attempted to tackle and answer questions regarding these subjects, and the latest of which to do so is Garth Davis’ sci-fi thriller, Foe, based on Ian Reid’s novel of the same name.
Set in the year 2065, rural corners of the planet have practically turned to dust and become a barren wasteland, with many resources turning scarce. Earth will soon be inhabitable, and the government’s solution to combat this is to send a group of shortlisted people to live up in space, decided through a lottery system. The latest candidate to make the list is Junior (Paul Mescal), and it’s not long before him and his wife, Henrietta (Saoirse Ronan), receive an unexpected visit from government representative Terrance (Aaron Pierre) to inform them of what’s to come next, such as how an AI replicate of Junior will take his place at home, keeping his wife company in his absence.
As its two biggest stars, Ronan and Mescal give the film their all, bringing stellar performances to the table, and their respective portrayals can even be attributed to older roles that they’ve played in the past. As a young woman yearning for more than what her current life offers her, Ronan’s depiction of her character echoes that of her roles in Lady Bird (2017) and Little Women(2019). Meanwhile, Mescal’s acting prowess comes through as he showcases his ability to channel intimate scenes well, a factor that was also evident with his performance in the multi-award winning Aftersun (2022).
Film still of Foe
Foe is, however, not without its flaws. The actors’ performances may be its biggest saving grace, but one noticeable aspect is the contrast between the film’s timeframe and its overall setting. Despite taking place more than four decades into the future, the mise-en-scene of Foe ironically sends us back in time into what closely resembles a period piece. The costumes and locations have a mid-century flair to them, with Junior and Henrietta residing in a dusty farmhouse and driving a beat-up pickup truck. When the film alludes to the fact that many parts of Earth are inhabitable, it’s also questionable as to why and how there are so many other patrons and workers present alongside the two leads whenever they go into work for the day. The cinematography, though captivating, sometimes relies too much on symbolism for the story to come across.
Even with Reid himself on board the production and co-writing the screenplay alongside director Davis, Foe struggles to garner the same positive reception the original novel received. Though having not read the novel myself, I can’t provide my perspective on this, but for what’s meant to be a dystopian thriller, the film adaptation of Foe doesn’t provide many insights into the ethics of AI or the possibility of our planet being degraded into a pale, desolate landscape from the effects of climate change. Rather, it fixates on the seemingly unhappy, yet somewhat rekindling romance between its leading couple and the mysteries the unwarranted stranger brings with his cruel tests.
Foe poses the simple question: who goes there, friend or foe? The answer might be closer than you think.
Film still of Foe
——————————————————————————-
This review is published as part of *SCAPE’s Film Critics Lab: A Writing Mentorship Programme, with support from Singapore Film Society.
About the Author: Maya has always had a penchant for animated movies, growing up watching the likes of Walt Disney and Studio Ghibli, many of which are among her all-time favourite films. Writing is one of her stronger suits and she is currently exploring how to best utilise this skill after finishing her pursuits in film studies. Apart from frequent trips to the cinema, she enjoys travelling and indulging in her interests in fashion, café hopping and video gaming.
BLOG
