A unique vision, Lucile Hadzihalilovic’s Evolution is a beautifully photographed piece of filmmaking full of mystery and intrigue, a film that is hard to classify and up to interpretation, one that promises to leave the viewer in a state of contemplation, and possibly confusion, at its conclusion. Evolution is centered around Nicolas, a young boy living in a seaside town on a remote, unidentified island made up of volcanic rock and black sands. A strange place that seems to be only inhabited by adult women and young boys, Nicolas begins to question his existence and surroundings after discovering the body of young boy in the ocean one day, a discovery that is quickly written off by his mother, who shows very little concern. From the opening frame of Lucile Hadzihalilovic’s Evolution one comes to realize they are in for a visual treat, with the film delivering a stunning, opaque world, one that feels primal, yet supernatural, inviting the viewer into the mysterious, enigmatic world which Nicholas inhabits. The craft of Evolution is hard to deny, as Lucile Hadzihalilovic creates a transfixing atmosphere around a borderline frustratingly opaque narrative, one which keeps the viewer relatively engaged due to the sheer craft of its visual design. Not didactic in the slightest, Hadzihalilovic forces the viewer into an uncomfortable and mysterious world, sending the viewer in a constant state of observation as they try to put the pieces together, hoping to unlock the mystery. With that in mind, Evolution is a film that at times can be enigmatic to a fault, a film that struggles narratively to hold its own amongst its visual artistry, becoming a bit of a slog at times due to its repetitious narrative. The visuals evoke more emotion than the film’s characterizations or narrative structure, with one of my favorite designs being the Ocean itself, a powerful mysterious force that evokes a primal setting, one in which the crashing waves provide an ambiance as we are introduced to this strange peculiar place. The problem is Evolution never really goes anywhere from there, with the filmmakers relying too much on atmosphere and subversive imagery, with Evolution’s refusal to explain itself beginning to become more of a curse than blessing, unwilling to reveal its thematic intentions. The whole film feels very stoic, an intentional decision sure, but the film becomes more and more frustrating due to its detachment, which at times supersedes the opening intrigue that made the film so compelling. Enigmatic storytelling is near and dear to my heart but these films tend to have more cohesive when it comes to thematic weight and intention, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I grew frustrated at Evolution at times due to not going much further past its nature vs. man conflict. Evolution plays like an arthouse science fiction film that reverses the roles of humanity and nature, a strong thematic ideal that never feels fully developed though I’d be lying if I didn’t find myself routinely intrigued by what the filmmakers were trying to say. Lacking much of an emotional core, Lucile Hadzihalilovic Evolution is a beautifully realized, opaque science fiction thriller that is full of intrigue but lacks much of a thematic payoff, offering a humanity vs. nature commentary that never fully develops past its subversive horror qualities.
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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