Plot
In this absurdist/horror/sci-fi/thriller, young couple Gemma and Tom are looking to buy their own home. They head to a real estate office, where the odd ‘Martin’ takes them to a local neighbourhood called Yonder, where every house and garden is identical. When Martin suddenly abandons them, they find they are trapped in the neighbourhood.
When start arriving, they plan a way to escape, but soon a child is delivered, that they must raise before they are allowed to leave. However he is not an ordinary child as he is growing at an alarming rate, and acts almost robotic or alien.
Can Gemma and Tom escape the neighbourhood, and as the boy grows to a man – escape him too.
Direction
Some great direction that really emphasises the alien nature of the neighbourhood, especially when there is the ‘gods view’ which shows them driving around aimlessly in the early parts of the film.
Cast/Characters
With a very small cast, with Imogen Poots as Gemma and Jesse Eisenberg as Tom. I found this to be a well-cast film, as they have previously acted together (in a film I’m yet to watch or review) in The Art of Self Defence.
It seems as though Eisenberg prefers to make these low budget type films. The pair play well off of each other, and the solitude they feel is believable.
Senan Jennings and Eanna Hardwicke play the child and adult versions of ‘The Boy’. They are vastly different personalities, from the curious boy, to the apathetic man.
Screenplay/Setting/Themes
There is a bit of foreshadowing throughout the film, such as Tom is the handyman at the school where Gemma teaches (I thought that Eisenberg might be a little hard to take seriously in this) – but this leads to his ‘hole digging’ arc to try and find an escape the neighbourhood as the months go by. Also his smoking, which might or might not be the cause of his illness.
The neighbourhood itself should be noted, and is almost a character in itself due to the almost ‘game like’ feel to it – the clouds (which only look like clouds) look like they could be from a Super Nintendo game in 1995. The lack of taste/smell also gets to the couple as they spend time in their car as it ‘smells like something’.
The boredom they go through, even monotonous things like brushing their teeth they try to make fun at times.
The film does leave you wanting more, and there are so many unanswered questions. However there is some subtle clues about who ‘Martin’ and the boy is, are discussed very early in the film and through the opening credits. Even the movie title if you read into it makes sense. ** Spoiler ** its aliens.
Score/Soundtrack
A creepy score at times, especially in moments like the fire scene – and the couple also have some fun moments that include some alternative type songs that they sing and dance to.
Overall
I really enjoyed this, with solid performances, and a great premise – to set designs. I wish there was more mythology shown – and it left more questions than answers. I recommend this if you’re a fan of this type of film.
4/5
If you’re able to, please “buy me a coffee”
Ryan's Movie Reviews 