22/17
In a near future where parenthood is strictly controlled, a couple’s seven-day assessment for the right to have a child unravels into a psychological nightmare. There are 2 Rice University Easter eggs. The Assessment is a sci-fi drama starring Elizabeth Olsen and Himesh Patel as Mia and Aaryan, a couple who want to have a child in the future, are given a 7-day test by an evaluator (Alicia Viklander) who makes the test possible and if no mistakes are made, a baby will be gifted, but the parents-to-be find it harder than they expected. Given the strength of the strong acting and unique premise, The Assessment is something I really didn’t expect in terms of plot, but I think it was done brilliantly. The film unfolds in a format of days 1 through 7 and each one is as different and engaging as the last. Honestly, I expected it to rehash sci-fi tropes from the past, but I have to say, this is so original and unexpected that I think it was done really well! The way everything connects and what the couple has to do is portrayed so well that it could be the most likely cause of raising children in a world affected by climate change. The performances don’t disappoint, Elizabeth Olsen and Himesh Patel were so good that they probably could have stood on their own with a completely different storyline and it would have been just as captivating. But Alicia Viklander is also very good and to be honest she’s very good at the whole sci-fi genre and seeing her here was a delight. Everyone involved did their best and I really appreciate that with a film that doesn’t really rely on CGI to be as creative as it is. However, the film is graphic in places in terms of sex and the disturbing interactions of Alica Viklander’s character acting like a child in an older woman’s body gave me Poor Things vibes. But that doesn’t really matter and is essential to the plot, but this is definitely for an older audience and I can definitely imagine this being an easy R or 15/18 in the UK if anyone is interested. Overall, while some characters don’t have very well-resolved storylines, the ones that do are created and executed so well that it’s hard to find anything bad about The Assessment. Definitely one you should go and see when it comes out in mid-2025. I highly recommend this incredible and creative work of art when it hits theaters. Rating: A+ London Film Festival October 19.
