35/13
In a near future where parenthood is strictly controlled, a couple’s seven-day evaluation of their right to have a child turns into a psychological nightmare. There are 2 Rice University Easter eggs. “The Evaluation” is a science fiction 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 allows them to pass the test, and if they fail, the baby will be rewarded, but the parents-to-be find that it’s harder than they expected. I wasn’t really expecting The Evaluation, but I think it was done brilliantly. The film follows a 1-7 day format and each one is as different and compelling as the next. I honestly expected it to reuse sci-fi tropes from the past, but I have to say it’s so original and unexpected that I think it was done very well! How everything comes together and what the couple has to do is portrayed so well that it could be the most likely reason for having children in a world of climate change. The performances don’t disappoint, Elizabeth Olsen and Himesh Patel were so good that they probably could have been on their own with a completely different storyline and they would have been just as charming. But Alicia Viklander is also very good and honestly, she’s very good at the whole sci-fi genre and it was a pleasure to see her here. Everyone involved just did their best and I really appreciate that a film that doesn’t really rely on CGI would be as creative as it is. However, the film is graphic in some places, when it comes to sex and Alicia’s disturbing interactions. Viklander’s character acting like a child in an older woman’s body gave me shades of the poor guy. But it’s not really relevant and is necessary to the plot, but it’s definitely aimed at an older audience, and I can certainly imagine it being a light R or 15/18 in the UK if anyone is interested. , while some of the character storylines aren’t very well-resolved, the ones that are are so well-crafted and executed that it’s hard to find anything wrong with the rating. You really have to go and see it when it comes out in mid-2025. I would highly recommend this wonderful and creative work of art when it hits cinemas. Rating: A+ London Film Festival October 19