Film Review - The Discovery (2017)

in movies •  7 years ago  (edited)
Sub-atomic brain waves leaving to travel to "another plane of existence" upon death. A sharp increase in the suicide rate around the world. The Discovery sets up a confronting situation; there's literally millions of people who are taking their own lives to "go there".

It is a radical idea and offers a bleak image of the world. Funerals every other day in every city, survivors being left behind, on the corporeal plane of existence. The attraction of there as opposed to here. The film presents a raft of what ifs, bobbing against a typically overcast world.

The key question of the film is What is the other plane of existence?, and our protagonist, Will (played by Jason Segel) stops Isla (Rooney Mara) from joining one of the four million dead by their own hands. The film’s pace is meandering, and the unanswered question is, for a world where the consequence of death is a ticket to there, why doesn’t anarchy reign supreme?

The cinematography is lacking saturation and focuses heavily (and a little too obviously) on the blue hues, in order to set mood. Once this settles in, you start to see the desolate world for what it is. More research, a man, lying on a gurney. He dies, and brain scanning equipment whirls in to life. Seconds pass, and the defibrillator charges. The man is resuscitated. Necessary. Research.

The film is creepy, in a charming way; with Will’s father, Robert; the scientist whom discovered the afterlife has the appearance of a cult leader at the complex he runs. Isla enters; and we witness the revelation that the “after life” can be recorded by means of a contraption that has been put together.

The plot (what little there is) heaps mystery upon mystery, as a romance unfolds between Isla and Will. Dead pan delivery of key plot lines make moments believable, but the film fails to evoke the central question what if of the film in as much depth as I would have personally liked to see. I’ve been spoiled by the stellar I Origins in this respect.

”People are just going to keep killing themselves.” The abject horror of this line, delivered late in the film; from a man, who stopped a woman from doing just this is one of the poorest pieces of dialogue in the film; compared to the conversations shared earlier, where tidbits of philosophy, science and challenging cognitive concepts are shared.

There’s no need to rush out and see The Discovery, because it is a Netflix Original. It is worth the watch; if you’re into a science-fiction-drama mixed with a bit of mystery; but it won’t be the best film that you will ever see. It will, however; be much more thought-provoking than anything you could rush out to go and see. It is worth getting through the film for the ending, which conveniently ties everything together well enough. It turns into a bit of a horror show, ala Groundhog Day.

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This post received a 2.4% upvote from @randowhale thanks to @themediumone! For more information, click here!

Nice review. I will check this out it sounds interesting enough.

Glad you enjoyed the review! :)

Rule 5 of the @holoz0r Steemit strategy...Keep scrolling.

Really good review, might just watch :-)

Seems like quite an interesting plot, and this dark sci-fi drama genre is right up my ally. Your review was extremely well written, and that just persuaded me to want to watch The Discovery even more. I probably wouldn't have even heard of it if it wasn't for you, so thanks for sharing.

Glad you enjoyed the review :)

I like watching films that aren't really mainstream; I often find them of a much higher quality (technically speaking) than the stuff that gets put out by Hollywood!

If there's any little-known Science Fiction films that you think I might enjoy, please suggest them!

It will, however; be much more thought-provoking than anything you could rush out to go and see.

I could literally feel the moment I will watch this movie. :D

I've been reflecting on the film, and the colour cast used throughout really grates on me after having time to absorb the imagery further. Make sure you take that into consideration. :P

I agree with you. It's not upto the mark of Netflix productions, but it's worth a shot. It starts with a great promise but after certain period of time, you can predict the whole plot. I liked your review though :)
kindly check my blog @rahul516. I do TV series review.Hope you'll like it.
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Oh! Like my thoughts hah

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