Descendent

I liked this movie, but I understand where some haters are coming from- there are some large and small things that aren't very compelling.

The story follows this regular schmegular soon-to-be dad into his descent into madness... because of an alien abduction. My kind of movie.

Obviously his relationship suffers, he begins having strange experiences, his mental health deteriorates, and his sole focus is to keep his head above water and figure out what's going on. Does any of this happen? Is any of this real? Kind of!

I like the psychological aspect of it. He has these strange experiences and feelings and must navigate them. After the experience he acquired some cool abilities that allowed the viewer to understand him deeply. It was really these moments that enriched the story.

It was the lack of communication with his wife (and most people) and an incomplete backstory with the characters that made this story feel cheap. Even the end was abrupt and I didn't feel like his friend all said and done. I would've liked that.

Whilst the film had potential, the bare bones fact is, nothing happens here. It's very well made, from the acting to the cinematography, it's top notch. However, it's slow paced, and just goes nowhere.

I assume it was all too subtle for a simpleton like me. I was waiting for the movie to get into a third act, and it never happened. Dull.

One star for the soundtrack, which was excellent.

First off the wife is insufferable, I could understand the suicidal thoughts living with her.

Secondly, the anti gun nonsense is wild. Dude is supposed to be a security guard and you're telling me he doesn't already own a gun. Then you have the friend who already owns guns tell him he doesn't need one. AND THEN it just randomly goes off, did he clip his badge to the trigger wtf happened there?

The spooky stuff was done well, the effects were good. Still didn't finish it.

Receiving a lot of scathing reviews, I can't see why.

The plot revolves around the unknown and not knowing ones mind or memories.

Descendant delves into the human psyche revolving around the deep and the dark known and unknown and whether what we see is what we believe.

The master craft is on display, driving a wedge into the audiences subconscious.

Is what Sean is going through real or not, is it self inflicted or not.

The ambiguity you're left with will have you considering your own psyche and whether or not it's real.

Fabulous movie.

Good title. Music/soundtrack engaging. Premise, recognizable. Execution - complete let down.

Although the actors do very well with the script, it is indeed the script that lets everyone down. I do not mind open ended films when a theme points to a couple different conclusions, but there really is no theme other than what is suggested in the title.

The story pretends to be leading you into a descent into madness, and yet, on what foundation does the main character's madness hinge? Suggestive with no real follow through is not a story, and does not follow even the classic storytelling model. There was a chance 3/4 through the film to open up to some real possibilities, but every time the story got to that point, the director changed scene, leaving the audience stuck with nothing.

I gave this 3 stars for the actors ability to make their scenes engaging, and the music. The writing failed (and I taught writing for 20 years), and the direction was down a path to nowhere.