An excellent representation of the human condition and evolution!

Rating: 8/10 (23 March 2018)

This is the first review I've ever put on here because I felt compelled to give it the credit it deserves in spite of the masses of criticism (sometimes valid) it has received. The central theme of the film is humanity's propensity for self-destruction at a molecular level, as exemplified by Lena's pillow talk with Kane and Ventress' dialogue with Lena at the base. As someone who studies philosophy and psychology I have a slight bias towards films or shows like True Detective and Westworld that delve into profound philosophical concepts. After reading Thomas Ligotti's 'Conspiracy Against the Human Race' (Amazing book) the idea of self-destruction was something that resonated with me particularly. A utopian world could not exist with humanity because we are pre-programmed to be dissatisfied, even if our life is perfect. Why is this? Evolution.
The reason why humanity continues to make progress is in part, thanks to these biologically driven self-destructive tendencies. This effort to always want something more or different is one of the reasons we are not still living in caves; however, in many ways this also a curse. The average humans life now is likely the best its ever been compared years past but, many people, including myself, are still discontent and in our current form, that is the way it will always be. The movie presented us with only one way to escape the shimmer alive and that is to destroy yourself. Not so much in the suicidal sense but, destroying yourself in favour of becoming something new. An idea almost akin to that of transcendence in Buddhism, destroying your subjective illusion of the self to achieve a higher reality.
Another thing I love about this movie is the alien. It exploits this grey area between good and evil which, is often a very much neglected space. One could say it almost serves as a metaphor for evolution, in that, it is a force that is not intentionally malevolent nor is it intentionally beautiful, it just IS. This representative of the fact that good and evil are not two cosmic forces of the universe, they are human concepts devised from consciousness.
From a storytelling perspective there are several flaws. On numerous occasions we are provided with scenes that serve no purpose to the overall plot. For instance there are a couple flashback scenes that seem a little irrelevant and there is a part dedicated to finding a missing comrade that was really unimportant in the grand scheme of things. One could also critique a lack of exposition, although it is advantageous in the case of the alien. However, in terms of who they are working for it is never really clarified, though I am led to believe this is left similarly ambiguous in the books on which the movie was loosely based.
In short, if you have any knowledge in the realms of biology, psychology or philosophy then you will probably understand and enjoy this film a bit more than those who do not. It is a slow burner that is not for everyone, it is imperfect from a storytelling perspective but, what I love about Alex Garland is he really puts the SCIENCE in SCIENCE-FICTION. The scientific verisimilitude of his movies are why his pictures will likely never be huge commercial successes because it will alienate a majority of moviegoers who are not necessarily attuned to the dilemmas involving artificial intelligence or the nuances of the human condition. On the other hand, for those moviegoers that enjoy films that pose a question as opposed to an answer, films that are not a social commentary but rather an exploration of human nature and films that are not black and white, (Obviously not in a literal sense) then this is a film for you. Cannot wait for Garland's next project and I hope he gets the funding he deserves.