I think Arrival is the best science fiction movie in years. Personally, I would have to go back to Edge of Tomorrow to find one almost as good. Not that these two movies are remotely alike. Arrival is more related to Contact — with Jodi Foster.
Invasion of the Linguists
What sets Arrival apart from most sci-fi films is its focus on communication and language rather than invasion or conflict. Director Denis Villeneuve crafts a thoughtful exploration of how we might actually interact with an alien species – not through weapons or technology, but through the fundamental building blocks of understanding: linguistics and symbols. It’s refreshing to see a first-contact story emphasizing patience and intellectual curiosity over explosions and battle scenes.
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Cast
Amy Adams delivers one of her most nuanced performances as linguistics professor Louise Banks. Her ability to convey complex emotional states with subtle expressions perfectly suits this cerebral story. Jeremy Renner shows a different side of his talents as physicist Ian Donnelly, bringing an intellectual curiosity that contrasts with his more action-oriented roles.
Director
Denis Villeneuve continues to prove he’s one of our most visually distinct directors, bringing the same atmospheric tension he delivered in Sicario to a completely different genre. His collaboration with cinematographer Bradford Young creates a visual language for the film that’s both alien and intimately human. The way they frame the massive alien ships against ordinary human landscapes creates a perfect visual metaphor for the story’s themes about perspective and perception.
We didn’t know at the time that Villeneuve would become a house-hold name. At least to movie-philes. To me, this is the movie that made me go back and look to see who directed it so I could see more of this brilliant work.
Pacing
The pacing and twists of the movie strongly resembles a good M. Night Shylamalan movie. It builds slowly, and many times the characters, especially Amy Adams, whisper their lines. It’s a very subdued performance.
There is little traditional excitement in the movie – no chase sequences or battle scenes. Instead, Arrival offers something rarer: intellectual suspense. The film explores profound themes about time, language, and how our perception shapes our reality. In our increasingly divided world, its message about the importance of communication across seemingly insurmountable barriers feels particularly relevant. The film asks us to consider how language itself might shape our thinking and whether understanding someone else’s language might actually change how we see the universe.
Technical Aspects
The film’s sound design deserves special mention. The alien language sounds – those circular, smoke-like symbols and the corresponding whale-like vocalizations – create an authentic sense of otherness that feels both foreign and somehow biologically plausible. Paired with Jóhann Jóhannsson’s haunting score that blends orchestral elements with electronic tones, the audio experience of Arrival is as carefully crafted as its visual one.
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Must See—Twice
This is one of those rare movies that must be seen twice to appreciate. It’s almost more enjoyable the second time through when you understand exactly what’s going on. The film’s structure mirrors its own themes about non-linear time, creating a narrative puzzle that completely transforms once you have all the pieces. Few films manage to pull off a twist that doesn’t feel like a gimmick but instead deepens the emotional resonance of everything that came before. On the first viewing, you experience the confusion and wonder of first contact; on the second viewing, you understand the profound choice at the heart of the story.
Grade: A+
About The Peetimes: This movie relies heavily on subtle visual cues. There are no unimportant scenes, but I managed to find a few peetimes that are decent.
Similar Movies and Streaming Shows
If you appreciate the thoughtful approach to science fiction in Arrival, you might also enjoy Ex Machina for its intimate exploration of artificial intelligence, Her for its emotional depth, or Interstellar for another film that blends high-concept science with profound human emotion. For television, try Devs or Tales from the Loop – both offer similarly cerebral approaches to science fiction concepts.
There are no extra scenes during, or after, the end credits of Arrival. (What we mean by Anything Extra.)
Rated (PG-13) for brief strong language
Genres: Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
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