By GABE THOMAS
Starring Saoirse Ronan, Paul Mescal, Aaron Pierre
Directed by Garth Davis
Written by Iain Reid & Garth Davis
Distributed by Amazon Studios
FOE is the latest sci-fi thriller from the pages of the 2018 Iain Reid (I’m Thinking Of Ending Things) novel. The story follows humble farmers Hen (Saoirse Ronan) and Junior (Paul Mescal) in the year 2065, struggling with a startling government proposition that threatens to destroy their relationship.
Garth Davis’ newest feature is lacking in suspense and purpose for much of its runtime. Moments of potential are squandered by overacting and a confused screenplay, creating a frustrating viewing experience. As the story drags on, the heightened melodrama is difficult to take seriously when the stakes are suffocated by corny dialogue. FOE gives its audience an abundance of information but fails to explain any of it in a compelling way. There is a turning point towards the end of the film where scenes of intensity become unintentionally hilarious. The BEYOND FEST crowd repeatedly erupted into thunderous laughter as an initially realistic relationship devolved into soap opera absurdity.
The first act builds palpable tension, with a welcomely suave performance from Aaron Pierre serving as a true bright spot. Ronan and Mescal are undoubtedly charismatic performers, and they bring a unique chemistry to the screen early in the movie. It is only later when they are allowed to let loose that these actors are undeservedly unhinged. Mescal draws inspiration from Jack Nicholson in The Shining, without the nuance and context necessary for the drastic character change.
Mátyás Erdély’s cinematography captures desolate farmland in a gorgeously isolative way, as ultrawide landscape shots accompany close and intimate scenes between lead characters. The VFX work should also be complimented, as the world of the film has a larger scope than anticipated.
One of FOE’s most obvious issues comes with its very inception. Reid is an astoundingly introspective author capable of weaving fascinatingly honest romances through his stories. This said, the rights to adapt his novel into a feature film were bought before the book was even published. It’s clear that this is a case of botched adaptation. Nobody had the time to become passionate enough about constructing a gripping narrative, leading to a middling, forgettable picture.
While there are creative ideas sprinkled throughout, FOE is a woeful attempt at a paranoid thriller that seems to get in its own way. Messy storytelling and misguided direction fashion more dread from a production standpoint than one of science-fiction. An unexpected blunder from remarkably talented people, there are a hundred better ways to spend your October.
FOE screened at Beyond Fest on October 3, 2023, with a limited release in the U.S. on October 6, and is still playing the festival circuit as of October 28.
