Skyler Gambill

BRIEF RATING: Good intro. Focus on ambience. Creepy, powerful aliens. Bad plot. DETAILED RATING: The movie starts off great. I like the lack of dialog because it really pulls you in to the sounds, ambience, and emotion (fear). However, once you get past her initial encounter things start to go off the rails. I don't want to say too much and spoil the film for those that have yet to see it. When I say go off the rails, I mean the main character, after collecting herself, succumbs to her emotions and does the most illogical things one could think of. She abandons all reason out of her shame and anxiety stemming from a childhood event involving former friend, does not seek help, and decides to take on inevitable second alien encounter alone. I know I said I liked the lack of dialog so focus can be placed elsewhere but the movie leans in too hard to the emotional side of things. The movie begins to become too introspective. Very odd considering the circumstances. As the events of the 2nd encounter commence, some of the events make it seem as if a deeper plot is being revealed but alas it only serves as a tool for more emotional introspection. The aliens are inept. They are vastly intelligent, scary, and powerful but incapable of capturing a single, 110 lbs, normal, emotionally traumatized girl. Without giving too much away, the movie cant seem to decide what it is until the very end... The plot feels disjointed, unfocused and finally - unfulfilling. I'm not saying its bad because it didn't follow a formula. I'm saying it's bad because it's incoherent. There is some symbolism late in the movie that is delivered in a way that makes no sense. Heavy handed and illogical. You'll know it when you see it. It so obvious that my 12 year old son actually asked me during said scene "Is that supposed to be symbolic?" It was that obvious and nonsensical. Ultimately this movie is about dealing with past emotional trauma, healing, and self-forgiveness... not aliens.