In the thought-provoking world of “Foe,” director Garth Davis explores the complexities of love, identity, and the unsettling consequences of artificial replacements. Anchored by emotionally charged performances from Saoirse Ronan, Paul Mescal, and Aaron Pierre, this psychological sci-fi drama transports viewers to a dying planet and a fractured marriage.
Set in the desolate landscape of interior Australia in the year 2065, where fresh water and habitable land have become scarce, the film’s stunning visuals, courtesy of Hungarian director Mátyás Erdély (known for “Son of Saul”), effectively depict a world in crisis. As new colonies flourish in space, Aaron Pierre’s enigmatic character, Terrance, enters the scene as a recruiter for OuterMore, one of the corporations now taking on the role of government.
The story follows Junior (Paul Mescal), a resilient sixth-generation earthman who is inexplicably chosen by OuterMore for a special mission to populate a space station that will function as a new planet. When Terrance arrives at Junior’s remote family farm, tensions rise as he presents the climate migration strategy, revealing that conscription is not optional. Adding to the shock, Terrance announces that Junior’s wife, Hen (Saoirse Ronan), must stay behind for the two years her husband is away.
The film’s most striking moments occur as Erdély’s camera captures the daily lives of Junior and Hen. Junior toils in a bleak chicken processing plant, while Hen serves in a nostalgic restaurant—a relic of a bygone era. Despite the strain on their seven-year marriage, their tenderness and longing intensify as they face the possibility of separation.
However, their world is further disrupted when Terrance returns during a dust storm, explaining that he will be moving in with them for the final phase of testing. As the true nature of the experiment is unveiled, and OuterMore’s motives come into question, the film takes a turn.
“Foe” delves into the realm of artificial intelligence horror, blurring the lines between love and technology. Terrance introduces a biological replacement for Hen while Junior is away, framing it as OuterMore’s duty to those who remain. As psychological tests push Junior to his limits, paranoia and tension mount.
Hen, excluded from these tests, engages in revealing conversations with Terrance that expose her inner desires and dreams, contrasting them with Junior’s desires during their marriage. The stage is set for revelations about synthetic replacements who believe they are human, adding an intriguing layer to the story.
Yet, as the film progresses into its second hour, it struggles to sustain its initial intrigue. The plot veers into contrived territory, and the director’s embrace of sentimentality becomes cloying, detracting from the emotional connection with the characters.
While Ronan and Mescal deliver powerful performances, their efforts are hampered by an increasingly overwrought storyline. The film’s visuals and soundscape create a haunting atmosphere, but the questions it raises about human consciousness and artificial replacements feel preordained and lack the depth of more daring explorations in films like “Ex Machina.”
In the end, “Foe” offers a glimpse into a dystopian world where technology and love collide, but its potential remains untapped, leaving viewers with a sense of missed opportunities in the realm of speculative sci-fi cinema.
