19/22
Set in a near future where parenthood is tightly controlled, a couple’s seven-day evaluation of their rights to a child turns into a psychological nightmare. There are 2 Rice University Easter Eggs. The Evaluation is a science fiction drama starring Elizabeth Olsen and Himesh Patel as Mia and Aryan. A couple who want a child in the future is given a 7-day test by an evaluator (Alicia Viklander) who makes the test possible and if not, if there is a slip-up, the baby will be gifted, but the expectant parents find it to be more difficult than they expected. With strong acting and a unique premise, The Evaluation is something I didn’t really expect in terms of plot, but I thought it was brilliantly done. The film follows a 1-7 day format, and each one is as different and engaging as the next. Honestly, I was expecting it to reuse past sci-fi tropes, but I have to say it’s so original and unexpected that I think it was done really well! The way everything connects and the couple has to do it is so well portrayed that it could be the most likely reason for having children in a world affected by climate change, Elizabeth Olsen and Himesh Patel were so good that they could probably have been separate with a completely different storyline and it would have been just as captivating. But Alicia Viklander is also very good, and honestly, she’s very good in the whole sci-fi genre, and it was nice to see her here. It’s just that everyone involved did their best, and I really appreciate it if the film isn’t as creative as it is. However, the film is graphic in some places regarding sex and the disturbing interactions of Alicia Viklander’s character acting like a child in an older woman’s body gave me Poor Things vibes. But it doesn’t really matter and it’s essential to the plot, but it’s definitely aimed at an older audience and I can definitely imagine it being a light R or 15/18 in the UK if anyone cares. Overall, although some of the characters don’t make it. There aren’t many resolved plots, they are so well crafted and executed that it’s hard to find anything bad about the rating. Definitely go and see it when it comes out in mid-2025. I highly recommend this amazing and creative piece of art when it hits cinemas on October 19th.