Deeply disturbing film, posing the question of what it is to be human from a unique perspective. At first glance it's inevitable to draw comparisons to Starman but Jeff Bridges' alien is an innocent with a mild, almost sunny disposition who comes to appreciate the gifts of human mortality beyond the ugliness he encounters. ScarlettJohanssen's, on the other hand, is a predator drone - automaton-like at first, narrowly programmed for her task. She is equally innocent but blocked, try as she might (she does possess curiosity), from fathoming what we are and what we desire. The men she encounters, mostly pleasant, helpful blokes are not much help, a comment in itself. Her final brutish encounter is as much an expression of her hopeless confusion about the world with which she has made the calamitous decision to engage as it is a misogynist statement.
However, it is Glazer's vision and direction that are the true stars of the film. The editing and shot selection excruciatingly ratchet up the tension and the David Lynch-like settings and imagery are truly exceptional.