Vivarium (2019)
Beware of creepy real estate agents.
Subgenre: Sci-Fi | Psychological
Underlying Element: madness & paranoia | mystery | extraterrestrial
Director: Lorcan Finnegan
Synopsis:
This movie is about a couple who were looking to settle down but came across a real estate developer's office with an overly eager agent that took them to an open house.
Analysis:
Vivarium (2019) is a nice movie to watch if you want something weird. From the opening sequence until going full circle in the end, the entire story is a big question mark.
Not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing, but there are no backstories or even character introductions. There are no dull moments, as viewers are immediately taken to the story where a couple looks for a house of their own. From there, everything just gets weirder and weirder, giving more questions than answers.
Acting-wise, even if there are no character introductions and relationships established, viewers can empathize with the couple throughout the whole ordeal. The frustration and the slow descent into madness and hopelessness can be felt.
However, since nothing is ever explained in this movie, there is no shock value towards the end. That's just it.
The entire premise is actually interesting and terrifying. The suburban setting and the otherworldly villain can still be explored if ever they decide to make a prequel or a sequel out of this and finally answer all the questions.
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