In a cinematic landscape often crowded with loud, action-heavy dystopias, Fleur Fortuné’s feature debut, The Assessment, offers a chillingly quiet and intellectually provocative alternative. Set in a near-future world where the privilege of parenthood is no longer a right but a state-sanctioned award, the film explores the intersection of societal control and the primal desire to nurture. With a stellar cast and a clinical aesthetic, Fortuné crafts a psychological thriller that is as unsettling as it is stylish.
Set in a near future world ravaged by climate change, the government has taken complete control over reproduction. To be granted the right to have a baby a couple must pass a gruelling seven day "Assessment".
Mia (Elizabeth Olsen), a plant biologist, and Aaryan (Himesh Patel), an AI scientist, live a life of sterile comfort. However, to complete their domestic ideal, they seek permission to have a child. Enter Virginia (Alicia Vikander), an enigmatic state assessor who moves into their home to observe their every move.
What begins as a series of intrusive questions quickly spirals into a series of psychological games, including a bizarre role-reversal where Virginia adopts the persona of a troubled child, forcing the couple to navigate the complexities of parenting under an unforgiving microscope.
The "child" trashes the home and acts like a demanding, petulant kid/baby. Over stepping boundaries her actions become ever more destructive. Alicia Vikander gives a stand out performance. The relationship is tested by the demands of the "child" but I won't spoil the film.
Indeed the acting from all three really make the film along with the cinematic setting which is wierdly minimalistic.
I enjoyed how the film explored the class-based arrogance of those who think their status makes them "worthy" parents. However as the demanding child and the couples responses show, we're all deeply flawed when it comes to raising children.
The weirdness of the place and governmental overreach is encapsulated in the dinner party scene, with an excellent performance by Minnie Driver to look out for.
It's a powerful film, a dark dystopia, that succeeds as both social satire and character analysis. Unfortunately it feels like it is wrapped up a bit too quickly at the end and it does rather spoil a near perfect movie.
If you liked Ex Machina you will greatly enjoy this. If you are looking for a big action packed blockbuster this is not the film for you.